


11* 







Class "F i -^ 

Book . .^ ^ o / s- 



^Ystorical Address 




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llOX. SA^rlTEL (TTI^K(MI 



(}iToiiJ:n JO. IS41. 



KX-(l () W A. II. JK) J. LEV 



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I'<m;i i|i|.;i; wim a 



RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 



CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 



N SALISBURY, CONN. 



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1741 ---i§4i. 



At a legal Town Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Salisburj', 
holden October 20th, 1841, it was 

Voted, That the thanks of this town be j^resented to the Hon. Samuel 
Chuech, for the address he has this day delivered. 

Voted, That the Committee of Arrangements be directed to request of Judge 
Church a copy of his" Address, to be printed under the direction of tlie Se- 
lectmen. A true copy of record. 

Attest, ROGER AVERILL, T<m>i Clerk. 



To THE Committee op Arrangements : 

Gentlemen — I have this day received from the Town Clerk and from the 
Secretary of your Board, the foregoing votes, requesting a copy of the Address 
delivered by me at our Centennial Town Meeting, October 20th, 1841, for pub- 
lication. 

I have hesitated much whether in justice to myself I ought to permit the 
Address to be published. It was not intended originally for the public, but 
rather to give some additional interest to our Commemorative Meeting. Be- 
sides, I have had neither leisure nor jiatience to prepare it for the ijublic eye. 

If you receive it, gentlemen, you must be content to receive it with all its 
imperfections. So far as it purports to give a history of our Town, I think it 
may be reUed iqjon as correct ; at least, as nearly so as it could be made by a 
very cautious dependence upon well authenticated tradition, and a resort to 
piiblic records and private documents. 

If its publication wiU add at all to the gratification of the inhabitunts of my 
native Town, or to the pleasure of our widely-dispersed friends al)road, to 
whom I am under many obligations of gratitude, I consent to it. 

SAMUEL CHURCH. 
To Messrs. Eliphalet Whittlesey, "] 
John C. Copfing, | 

Alexander H. Holley, [ Committee of 
Jared S. Harrison, 
Samuel C. Scoville, 
Roger Aveeill, 

Salisbury, January 21, 1842. 



Arrangements. 



ADDRESS. 



Mr. Moderator:* 

This day completes a century since the tirst of your predecessors, 
Thomas Newcomb, presided as moderator of our first Town Meeting. 
Our records do not inform us where that meeting was convened ; proba- 
bly not far from the place where we are now assembled. INIore than one 
half of this period has passed away since I have lived, and you, Sir, have 
survived nearly three-fourths of it. 

AVithin this brief space, what mighty events have transpired ! King- 
doms have risen up and kingdoms have fallen, and almost the entire 
map of the world has been changed. The progress of science and the 
arts, the recognition and securit}' of human rights, the tolerant spirit of 
geimine Christianity, all have been in full and successful accomplish- 
ment, within the last century, to an extent never before mtnessed in this 
world's history. And within our own town, hardly an evidence of its 
original identity exists, except its hills and waters and public records ! 
Were our powers of fancy and anticipation of prophetic mould, what 
think you, Sir, we could now see of the results of another century of 
c(|ual progi'ess ? 

Our ancestors, whose deeds and memories we would now recall, and 
of whom our early records speak, were fi-ee in spirit and purpose, and 
yet were the subjects of a master ; and our town was an appendage of a 
dependent Colony. For us, and our children, the bonds of servitude 
have been broken, and we are called upon this day, by every motive 
which gratitude can suggest, to cherish and express our veneration for 
the chai-acter and example of those departed men, and to tender the of- 
fering of devoted hearts to that Being who has been our father's God. 

To commemorate the birth-day and perpetuate the annals of a retired 
New England town, may seem, to some, a trifling atfair. But there is 
nothing dearer, to a man of sensibility, than his home — the scenes, of his 
youthful adventures and hopes — the earth upon which his fathers have 
trodden — the niountains upon which they have looked — the streams they 
liave followed. He listens to stories of objects so endeared to him, with 



*Lot Norton, Esq. 



untiring oar. Tho old man. in iiis recollection of these, will go back to 
the times of liis Ijoyiiood, and for a moment live over again the days of 
his young, unclouded hoijes. And the youth looks upon them all, 
though inanimate, as his cherished friends. The long absent emigrant, 
on his return, as he views these well remembered objects, fancies him- 
self surrounded by the nearly forgotten companions of his former days, 
which such associations bring l)ack to his memory; and, though retlec- 
tions such as these may bi'ing over his heart a cloud of momentary sor- 
row, as the image of some long lost friend is renewed Vjefore him ; yet in 
such a grief it is luxury to indulge. Here is the only true source of patri- 
otism ; and the man who loves not to indulge in recollections of the home 
of his youth, is constituted of such materials as traitors are made ot. 

But a New England tow'n, when philosophicjilly considered, is of more 
importance than at tirst may be supposed. It is not a mere corporation, 
but is a little commonwealtli of itself. Our towns are pure democracies. 
Ilei'e, alone, the people deliberate, decide, and act, without the interven- 
tion of a second power ; and their most important intei'ests are here con- 
sulted and regulated by themselves. The chief olijects of taxation arc 
entrusted to the toAvns. The great and absorbing interests of learning 
and religion are within their jurisdiction, in their capacities of school 
and ecclesiastical societies. 

In town meetings, these primary assemblies of the peojjle, our youth 
and young men are instructed in tlie first elements of political science ; 
not by study alone, but by actual observation and jjarticij^ation. Here 
have been the nurseries of onr statesmen, and here, too, the quiet duties 
and submission of the citizen are first learned. I am persuaded, that Avitli- 
out these rudimental institutions of civil liberty. New England could 
never have furnished her bright example in the struggle for indepen- 
dence ; nor could we have so successfully carried out the dangerous ex- 
periment of a people governed by themselves. My fellow-townsmen, 
we have a right to be proud of our town, and to perpetuate its history. 

In this meeting, we cannot restrain our fancies from running back to a 
time still earlier than the occasion we now commemorate. We see here 
these hills rising above us, these streams flowing along beside us, and 
these valleys and lakes spread out before us ; and here they have been, 
from a time we know not of. But who were the men who lived and 
ranged among them all, before oiu- fathers saw them? The rightful 
lords of these woods and waters, who were they ? Here and there sonic 
little memorial of their existence may even now be found in our fields. 
Often, in former days, as I have wandered along the l)anks of the Hou- 
satonic, the arrow head of the Indian's l)()w, or his rude stone axe, has 
attracted my attention. I have found them of various dimensions and 
liishions — some rough in workmanship, and some displaying taste anil 



5 

ingenuity of construction ; and never did I gather up these relics of a 
forgotten race, without the silent, instinctive inquiry, — From whence 
was this arrow thrown? By the chieftain in the battle, or the Indian in 
the chase? I have seen, as the falling banks of the river annually 
crumbled away, whole skeletons of men exposcul, in an upright or sit- 
ting jiosture, and have, in my j'oung imagination, addressed tliem, al- 
most as living men, — Who and wliat were ye once ? 

Upon tlie tirst arrival of tlie white men here, many of the aborigines 
still remained, clustered in the valleys along the streams and lakes. 
They had too long been within the reach of the enervating influence of 
the whites. Our Puritan ancestors had, for some years before, occuijied 
the lands along the Connecticut river on the one side, and the Dutch of 
New Amsterdam and its dependencies, had been their neighbors on the 
other. The fearless independence, the noble bearing of the Indian cliar- 
acter, was gone. The Indians here, were peaceable, harmless, and 
servile. 

T'here seems to ]:)C much phmsiliility in the conjecture, that the race of 
Indians found here bj' our fathers, was not the original tenantry of this 
region ; liut had come in as wandering tribes or bands from other for- 
ests, driven perhaps by wars, to take the place of an earlier and more 
noble people. The tradition is, with much probability, authenticated, 
that King Philip, the last of New England's proud Sachems, and the re- 
lentless foe of the Puritans, extended his ravages on this side of Comiec- 
ticut river, and that lie burned, or otherwise broke up, some settlements 
of English and friendly Indians in the j^resent town of Simsbury, »nd 
particularly an Indian village there, called Weatogue, the name of which 
still remains ; and these Indians, flying from Philii^, settled down upon 
th(! banks of the Housatonie, within the present limits of Salisbury and 
Canaan, givuig the name of their former home to their new residence. 

Huljl^ard, in his history of Indian wars, aflirms it, that the Indians as 
far west as Hudson's or Dutch river, were concerned in Philii^'s wai's ; 
and Bancroft, sj^eaking of the Indians of New England, says, " The clans 
that disappeared from the ancient hunting grounds, did not always be- 
come extinct ; they often migrated to the north and west. The i-ountry 
between the banks of the Connecticut and the Hudson, was possessed by 
independent villages of the Mohegans, kindred with the Manhattans, 
whose few smokes once rose amidst the forests of York Island." The 
Indians of these villages spoke the same language, the Mohegan, or Pe- 
quod dialect, and which was, with jjerhaps some variation, the language 
common to the Indians of New England. The Indians here, were prob- 
ably connected in some relation with the Stockbridge, or Moheaconnuc 
tribe, and perliaps made part of the tribes or clans lower down the 
river, at Kent and New Milford, and connected in amicable relations 



with the Imliaiis. who ackm)wle(l<j;c'(l tlic suchem Wyanteiiock as their 
common protector. This chief resided near the (ireat Falls in New Mil- 
ford. 1 have myself, when a child, conversed with old men, who could 
recollect the remnant of tribes considerably populous, in Weatogue, near 
the former residence of the AVliite family, and on the northern margin 
of Wonunscoponuic lake, (noAV called Furnace Pond,) and also on the 
(•astern shore of Indian Pond,- in Sharon. 

There was, ui)on the first arrival of the Dutch settlers here, a well de- 
tiiied Indian ti'ail, or path leading from the Stockbridge tribe, along the 
valley of the Housatonic, through Weatogue, to the Scaticoke settlement 
of Indians in Kent. Apple trees had sprung up, and were growing 
along that path, through its whole extent, at unequal distances, accu- 
rately enough marking its course. Many of these were standing when I 
was a youth, and some I believe remain to this day. Tradition has 
pointed out the spot, on thes easterly side of Wonunscopomuc lake, upon 
which the Indians held their coimcils and powows. It is in the grove, a 
little west of the road leading from Fxu-nace Village to Town Hill, and 
near a tall jjine tree, now standing, overlooking the lake. Frequently, 
wiien I have stood upon that interesting spot, I have attempted to call 
11]) l)efore me the groups of savage men wiio congregated on that ground. 
I have, in fancy there, looked upon the grave, stern face of the coun- 
selor, the fierce visage (if the impatient warrior, in his listening attitude, 
and the encircling group of women and chikh-en around. It was, and 
still is, a plat of romantic i)cauty, well fitted to call forth the innate re- 
ligious feeling of those men of nature. This spot was frequently visited 
I)}' wand(!ring Indians in after days, and tlie stately pine which then 
marked the place, was long known to the white inhabitants, as the In- 
dian tree. 

AlthougJi the Indians of this neighborhood were friendly, yet such was 
the well known treachery of the Indian character, and so fre(iuent were 
tli(! causes of disturbance among the northern and western ti'ibes, and so 
(h-cadful w'cre the tales of savage cruelty, that the early white settlers 
wei(! cautious in tlieir intercourse with them, and were constantly on 
tlusir guard against surprise and attack. A supply of ammunition was 
always on haiul, furnished at th(^ expense of the town ; forts or l)lock 
houses were erected for defense and refuge ; and the house first er(*cted 
for the minister, and which was improved as the house of religious wor- 
ship, was constructed witii a view to (U^fense, and with port holes, 
through which a fire of musketry could be kept up against assailing In- 
dians. ( )ur fathers assembUul to worship God, with arms in their hands ; 
unlike us, their children, who have none to molest or make us afraid. 

One of these Block Houses was erected at the Junction of the roads op- 
j)osite the lat(^ dwelling house of Nathaniel Church, at Weatogue, and 



7 

its stone foundations have been visil)l(' in my da}'. Another, a little 
southerly from the present dwelling house of William P. Russell, Esq. 
— the iirst location of the Dutcher family, nearly then enclosed by deep 
coves and dense thickets ; and still another, on the northerly side of 
Wonunscopomuc lake, not far from the present residence of Newman 
Ilolley, Esq. 

Before the charter of the town was granted, Thomas Laml), in behalf 
of the Governor and Comjiany of the Connecticut Colony, purchased 
certain Inilian rights of hind in the present town of Sharon, and in 
Weatogue, " for the consideratio)i of eighty pounds and divers victuals 
and clothes." This deed was signed bj' the marks of many Indians, who 
described themselves as of the Indian nation, belonging to Muttapacuck. 
The name of one of the signers of this deed, as nearly as I can read it 
upon the ancient state records, was Tocconuc. Soon afterwards, the 
Indians complained to the general court, that they had been defrauded 
by Lamb in this purchase ; and a committee ^vas appointed to uivestigate 
the alleged causes of complaint. Lamb afterwanls received a grant of 
land from the Colony for his services and expenses in the negotiation. 

The Indian burial ]jlaces, as well as any thing, designate the places of 
Indian settlements. There was one on the eastern side of the north 
pond; another on the east side of the road leading through Weatogue 
and a little southerl}' from the old burying yard on my late father's farm ; 
and still another, to which allusion has l)efore been made, on the bank 
of the Housatonuc, on the old VVliite farm. This probably belonged to 
an earlier race than the Indians found here by our fathei's. The annual 
enci'oachment of the ilver by the s^jring I'reshcts, upon the banks, fre- 
quently exposed the bones of the buried Indians, whicli upon exposure, 
became dust. These exjiosures have long since ceased, and proljably 
the shifting current of the stream has borne along with it to the ocean, 
the last ashes of the Indian, as has the stream of time l)oriie away his 
memory from among men. 

The Dutch emigrants ljef(n'e their settlement here, ma<i<! i)urchases of 
land of the Indian occui)ants, supposing, as has been said, that the in- 
tervals of the Housatonuc were within the limits of the province of New 
York, from whence they emigrated. William "White and Abraham Vau- 
ilusen purchased the Indian title to a tract of land lying, as I suppose, 
about two miles south of the falls. And in January, 1720, John Dike- 
man and Lawrence Knickerbaeor, of Livingston's Manor, in the province 
of New York, purchased of the Indians a tract of land lying on the 
west side of the Housatonuc river, " beginning at the upjjer falls, south 
of Wootawk, (meaning Weatogue,) thence running along the side of a 
hill called Wootowanchu, now called Sugar Hill, two miles, to the land 
purchased of the Indians by White and Vandusen ; thence with a straight 



line to a mile above the falls of a brook called Wacliocastinook. (2)roba- 
bly the falls at Lime Rock furnace,) thence south three miles, thence 
east to the river, •fee." Thomas Knowles and Andrew llinman, of 
Woodl)iu'y, about the same time, made a very extensive Indian purchase, 
includinj^, as they probably supposed, nearly all the feasible land of the 
town, (lescribetl in their deed as lying on the river, six miles in length, 
north and south, and four miles wide, east anil west. These grants, 
however, were afterwards all relinquished to the Colony ; the Indians 
right being considered then, as now, only as a right of occupanc-y, not 
of sale ; the right of pre-emption being solely in the Colony. All these 
grantees, however, as a compensation for their expenses, received grants 
of land from the Colony. After the charter of the town was granted, 
and as late as 1742, the Indians made claim to lands here ; and in Octo- 
b(;r of that year, Daniel Edwards, of New Haven, was apjjointed to pur- 
chase of the Indians, two miles square, at the northeast corner of the 
town, and to deliver to one Toeconuc, two blankets to resign his claim. 

The territory now including the towns of Salisbury, Sharon, Canaan, 
and Norfolk, before the survey of these towns was made, was known as 
the western lands. The first grant made of lands in this town by the 
general court, was made to William Gaylord, of New Milford. This 
grant embraced nearly the whole of the Weatogue intervals. Many 
other grants were subsequently made, before the sale of the town to 

proprietors ; among these, were Woodbridge's, Lamb's, Fitch's, 

Knickerbacor's, Bissell's, Dutcher's, Wadsworth's, Whiting's, Hinman's, 
Stiles', Lewis', Newton's, Knowles', and perhajis some others. Mr. 
Thomas Stiles is now the proprietor of some part of the lands included 
in the gi-ant to his ancestor. In no other instance do the heirs of any of 
the original grantees jwssess any of the lands originally granted to their 
ancestors. 

I do not find that the gnmeral court made any grant of lands here to 
Yale College ; although in all the other towns embraced within the north- 
western lands, a grant of three hundred acres in each, was made to that 
institution. But as (!arly :is IToU, the trustees of the College received a 
deed of six luuKlreil and twenty-eight acres of land from Rev. John Fisk 
and James Leavins, of Killingly, in exchange for land of equal value in 
that town. This land was located southeasterly of the center of the 
town, and still remains the property of the College, in the occupancy of 
tenants under ksases for nine hundred and ninety-nine j'ears, yielding an 
.innual rent to the College. 

Fisk and Leavins had nsceived from the Colony a grant of this laud in 
October, 1729. As these lands contribute ammally to the support of the 
College, they have ever been treated as exempt from taxation for other 
purposes, under the pi-ovlsions of the statute of 1702. Whethei- the 



9 

provisions of that statute voally extended to lands thus acquired, it is 
now probably too hite to inquire. 

Settlements of white people commenced within the present limits of 
this town, several years before the public sale of the lands. Three 
Dutch families from Livingston's Manor, in the province of New Y(n-k, 
commenced the settlement in Weatogue. Their lands were purchased 
of \Vllliam Gaylord and Stephen Noble, of New Milford, by deeds dated 
August 29, 1720. These were the families of William White, Abraham 
Vandusen, and Ruluti' Dutcher. They prol)ably took possession of their 
lands the same season. White was by birth an Englishman, but hail 
long before been connected with the Dutch inhabitants of the New York 
province. He married a Dutch wife and had reared a family. He lo- 
cated himself upon a farm lately owned by my father, Nathaniel Church, 
and a few rods north of the small stream which Hows eastwardly across 
the highway to the cove below. White had several sons, who settled 
aromul him; — George on the west side of the road, ^opposite his father's 
house; Benjamin, a little south of the brook; Joshua, still further south, 
and near the river ; and Isaac, who resided with his father. Benjamin 
was a man of considerable repute ; he afterwards returned to the })ro- 
vince of New York, where he died. The other sons of William White 
lived and died here. None of the lineal desctiudauts of this gentleman, 
bearing the family name, remain with us ; yet there are man}^ from 
female branches. Rufus Landon and his children ; the wife and children 
of Calvin iNloore ; and many others, now our inhabitants, are lineal 
In-anches of this original family. 

Yandusen settled ujion the farm now owned by Elias H. Joslin, and 
the lands adjoining on the north. His sons were Henry or Ilendricik, 
GoiU'rey, James, Isaac, and perhaps some others. Captain Henry Van- 
dusen, Horatio Vandusen, and their children, are the only lineal i*epre- 
sentatives of Abraham Vandusen, of the same name, now remaining 
among us. 

Dutcher settled upon lands still further north, and extending to the 
state line, or near to it. His sons were Christopher, John, Cornelius, 
and Gabriel. Christopher, the eldest son, settled in Canaan, where his 
descendant, Rulutf Dutcher, now resides. The other sons remained in 
tills town. The name of this I'amily has become extinct here ; yet much 
of its blooil flows in descendants of the female line. The wife and 
children of William F. Russell, Esq. are of this family. 

The Knickei'bacor family came into the town soon after White and 
otliers. John Knickerbacor occupied the Knickerbacor grant, at the 
mouth of, Salmon Kill river. Some of the lineage of this ancient family 
are here to this day. Cornelius Knickerbacor, a brother of John, settled, 
at the Furnace Village, about the same time that John came here. His 
2 



10 

dwelling house was nearly on the same spot where the silversmith shop 
of William C. Botsforil now stands. Cornelius Kniekerbacoi''s was for 
some time the only white family in that section of the town. He after- 
wards removed to Sharon. 

Thomas Lamli, I believe, was the first New England man who settled 
in this town. He emigrated, 1 suppose, from Springfield, but the pi'e- 
cise time of his settlement here I cannot ascertain. He received sevei'al 
grants of land before the sale of the town. He located a tract of fifty 
acres at Lime Rock, upon a grant made to a Sergeant Tibbals, for ser- 
vices in the Pequod war. He received another grant of one hundred 
acres on the northeast side of the Furnace pond ; and aft(;r the sale of 
the town, he became the owner of four and one half rights. He secured 
the water privileges at Lime Rock, at the outlet of the Furnace jjond, at 
tlie falls west of the center, now owned by N. Clark, as well as the out- 
let of the pond on the mountain. Indeed, he was the distinguished spec- 
ulator of his da}-. His place of residence was probably first at Lime 
Rock; but he afterwards resided on the hill, southeasterly of the Fur- 
nace Village, where Thomas Conklin formerly lived. He left the town 
about the year 174G, and became a mariner, and resided successively in 
New Jersey, Maryland, and North Carolina. 

Mr. Caleb Woodworth, the ancestor of our respected fellow townsman, 
Josiah Woodworth, I suppose, was the first white man who settled with 
a family in the neighborhood of the Ore Hill. He came into the town 
as early as 1738. Thomas Baylis settled at the center, where William 
Bushnell now lives, as early as 1740. John Weldon came into the town 
in 1740, and Isaac Vosburgh in 1742 ; both located themselves in the 
north part of the town, near where the late Colonel Elijah Stanton lived 
and died. Samuel Becbe settled near the upper or little falls of the 
Housatonuc, and where John Adam now lives, about the year 1740. 
Within one year after the incorporation of the town, there were forty- 
five tax paying inhabitants here. The ore bed, the iron works of 
Thomas Lamb, at Lime Rock, and tlie various, water privileges dis- 
covered here, probably invited emigrants ; though the apjiearance of the 
land was at first uninviting. The hills appeared barren, and with little 
wood to cover them ; the frequent Indian fires had nearly destroyed the 
timber, and the valleys were covered with a tall and useless grass, called 
bent-grass. 

At the May session of the general court of the Colony, 1732, a com- 
mittee was appointed, consisting of Edmund Lewis, Esq., of Stratford, 
and William Gajdord and Stephen Noble, of New Milford, with direc- 
tions to lay out one or more townshijis, in the northwestern lands, if in 
their opinion they were such as to accommodate a town. Fn the follow- 
ino" summer, the committee explored the lands and laid out the towns of 



11 

Salisbury and Sharon. Tliey began their survey of this town on the 
line of Massachusetts Colony, and on the bank of the Housatonuc river, 
and run thence west, nine and a half degrees north, seven miles and one 
half to the northward end of the line of partition between this C^olony 
and the province of New York. This boundary is upon Tocconuc 
mountain. Thence they ran south, twelve and a half degrees west in 
Colony line, eight and three quarters miles to a bound about eight rods 
east of the Indian pond ; thence east, nine and a half degrees south, 
seven miles to Housatonuc river ; thence following the river to the first 
bounds. The committee represented the lands as much broken by 
mountains and ponds, but were of opinion that the land would accom- 
modate a suitable number of persons for a town. The lands thus sur- 
veyed they designated as township M. 

In May, 173o, Nathaniel Stanley, Esq., and Capt. John Marsh, were 
appointed by the General (-ourt to take in subscriptions for the lands in 
township M, and the avails of the sales wei-e to be appropriated for the 
support of schools in such towns as had before been settled. I do not 
know that any thing was ever done under this appointment. But at the 
October Session of the Assembly, (then called the General Court), in 
the year 1737, the lands in this town were ordered to be sold at Hartford, 
on the third Wednesday of May, 1738, with a reservation of former 
grants. For this purpose, the lands wei'e divided into twenty-five rights. 
One of these rights was appropriated to the first settled minister ; one for 
the use of the ministry for ever, settled according to the constitution and 
order of the churches cstablMied b>/ lain in this Colony; and one for the 
support of schools. Here is the origin of the ministerial and school 
funds of the town. The remaining rights were jjiu-chased by individual 
pi-oprietors. The original proprietors were Th(mias Lamb, Thomas 
Fitch (afterwards Governor of the Colony) , Christopher Dutcher, Elias 
Reed, John Beebe, James Beebe, Daniel Edwards, Joseph Tuttle, David 
Allen, George White, Joshua White, Titus Brown, Edward Phelps, 
Thomas Pierce, Thomas Newcomb, Benjamin White, Eleazur Whittle- 
sey, Richard Seymour, Ro])ert AValker, and Thomas Norton. It is not 
known that any of the lands originally drawn, remain now in the occu- 
pancy of the descendants of the original proprietors of them, unless it be 
the lands owned by the children of Henry Gay, the descendants of Elias 
Reed. 

The proprietors held their first meeting in this town, on the 12th day 
of April, 1739, and directed the manner of making the division of lands, 
and established their rules of proceeding. Among other things, they 
flirected that near the center of the first division there should be a proper 
space laid, oiit for a green, or market place, about thirty rods square. 
This green was accordingly laid out on Town Hill, and includes a part 



12 

of the bur3"ing; 3'ard there. They reserved from (hai't. privileges for a 
saw-mill, on the first great falls of the Fellkill, ami also, "at Suecouups 
brook, near the place where the same rmis out of the southermost of two 
large ponds, lying almost dose together.'''' The first of these locations 
was nciir the Lmw Kock Furnace, and the latter a little below the Fur- 
nace, at Chapinville. Thomas Lamlj, howc^ver, the persevering Thomas 
Lamb, soon after procured a privilege of erecting a saw-mill at Lime 
Rock. 

In ijursuance of the first votes of the proprietors, four tlivisions <jf land 
were laid out. The lots in these divisions were distributed among the 
proprietors by lot, or chance. All the subsequent divisions were by 
pitches, made by each proprietor, of the quantity of land to which he 
was entitled in each division, as authorized by vote of the proprietors, 
and surveyed under the direction of the i)roi)rietors' committee. The 
first division commenced in a tier of lots running nc^rth and south, near 
the present school house, at Lime Rock, and extending westerly across 
Town Hill, and around on the west and northwest side of Furnace Pond. 
These lots contained from fifty to one hundred and fifty acres, sized 
according to quality. A highway, six rods wide, was reserved over 
them ; and this accounts for the spacious road across Town Hill. What 
induced the projirietors to make provision for a road so broad, with green 
and market place, in that lower section of the town, is not now certainly 
known. They probably believed that the ore hill at the western extrem- 
ity, and the water poAver at the eastern limit of this division of land, to- 
gether with the superior beauty of its most elevated point, would consti- 
tute that, as the central point of business ; which, tor that reason, re- 
ceived the name of Town Hill. The lots in the other divisions of land 
were not always contiguous, but surveyed and di-awn in widely sctittered 
locations, which cannot be conveniently designated here. 

Although there was a poi:)ulation to some extent here before the incor- 
poration 'of the Town, yet the people possessed no political rights. 
They were protected by the laws, but had no voice in their enactment. 
The first jjolitical jiower enjoyed by this people, was conferred in 1728. 
At that time there were few enclosures, and the horses and cattle Avere 
j)(M-mitted to run at large, and without restraint. It was necessary to 
distinguish the beasts of one town from those of another, so that estrays 
might be returned and rechumed. Fach town, among the lunv settle- 
ments, had its own form of lirand, prescribed by the Assembly. Every 
beast was branded. The (ieneral ('oui't, at its October si'ssioii, 172N. 
C(mferred iiimii tli.' people of Weatogue tlie special liberty of using a 
brand in the lni-ni of an X, together witli the privilege of electing a 
brander. 'i'lie mode of choice was entin-ly democratic, though peiadiar. 
It was directed by a resolve of the Assend)ly, that a paper should be cir- 



13 

ciliated ;imon<>: the i)e()ple, upon whii-li each man slinnld wrilc the name 
of tlie j)erson oi" his ehoiee for ////// ({flicc, — tliat tlic paptsr shoiihl be re- 
turned to the Town Clerk of Xew Milfoid, and slionld determine tlie re- 
sult of the election, as it disclosed the state of the vote. I ha\e not been 
successful ill my iiKiuiries to ascertain the disfuu/ins/icf/ indiridual who 
first received ()olitical honors from the people of Salisbnrv! 

In the sprinj^- of 1741, the ])oj)ulation had so much increased as to v.n- 
c-oura_o(^ the h()i)e tliat the ministry could be supported here, and the 
peo2:»le became im|)aticnt for the possession of the civil and relio-ious 
privileges enjoyeil In the incoi-])orated towns in the Colony. There were 
no roads nor bridges, nor the power of constructing any. Especially, 
religious instruction and worship could not be maintained, without cor- 
porate j)owers ; and therefore a petition was presented to the General 
Court, in October, 1741, for a town charter, and it was granted. Amcmg 
the powers conferred, the most important one was to embody in Church 
i's((ik\ according to the laws of this government. At that time there was 
a connection between the ChiU"ch and the State, nearly as close as exist- 
ed in the mother country. 

Mr. Benjamin White, by the charter, was empowered to warn the first 
town meeting, and direct the time and jjlace of meeting. He did so, 
and it was holden, according to the warning, on the 9th day of Novem- 
Ixr, 1741, and was organized bj^ the clioice of Thomas Neweomb as 
.Moderator; ( '^renns Newcomb, Town Clerk; Benjamin White, Thomas 
Newcomb, and John Smith, Selectmen; Samuel Beebe, Treasurer; 
Thomas Austin, Constalde ; with the usual minor oflicers. Thus, we 
liecame a town, by the name of Salisbury. 

From whence our name was derived, our records do not inform us. .\ 
tradition, which has been adopted as true, by Rev. Mr. Crossman, in his 
New Year Sermon, preached in this house, on the od day of January, 
180:^, says, our corjjorate name was derived from a man whose n;ime 
was 8(disbury, and who, it is suj^posed, resided a few feet south of the 
pi-esent garden of William Bushnel, at the center. There is much rea- 
son to doubt the authenticity of this tradition ; some parts of it are in- 
credible, and I am disposed to reject it altogether. That a man of that 
name once resided at the jdace mentioned, may be true ; but that he was 
a personage who would give his name to a town, J do not believe. His 
name does not appear upon our records; he owned no land, he paid no 
tax; he was obscure and degraded. The traditional rumor is, that he 
removed from this town into the State of New York, where he was con- 
victed of the murder of his female slave, and sentenced to be hung on 
his arriving at the age of one hundred years, and in the meantime was 
permitted to go at large! There was no Colony with laws thus admin- 
istered. It is much more probable, that our name, like those of most 



14 

Xcw England towns, was horrowcil IVdni a city or town of the sanu" 
name in the mother eountry. 

The first list of taxable estate here, v.-as made np in 171:2, and amount- 
<h1 to the sum of £2,279 10s. M. In 17.")."), it amt)unted to £1»,988 ts. Gd. 
This was the grand list, upon which tlie first State tax was assessed ui)on 
this town. 

Tn 17o<), the number of inhabitants \vas lloo. In 1774, there were 
1986 Avhite, and 44 eolored inhabitants. Under the first census, taken 
by authority of the Government of the United States, in 1790, there were 
2()70 inhabitants ; in 1800, 2266 ; in 1810, 2321 ; in 1820, 2695 ; in 1830, 
2f)80; in 1840, 2.5.ol inhaljitants. 

Under the revised system of assessments, introduced in 1820, the list 
of this town amounted to the sum of $30,826, and in the year 1840, to 
the sum of .$41,805; showing an increase, for the last t^venty years, of 
twenty-five per cent. The present number of electors is 493. 

T have said before, that previous to the act of incorporation, there were 
no public roads here ; yet there were some well defined paths. The 
most prominent among these, was the one leading from Butchers, in 
Weatoo-ue, and following, as T suppose, the general direction of the pres- 
ent highway to Furnace Village, and thence along nearly to the Ore 
Hill, and down through Sharon Valley to SackeWs Farm, in Dover, 
nearly west of the southwest corner of the town of Sharon. Another 
path led from the Ore Hill, and in the vicinity of what we call the under 
mountain road, to the iron works at Ousatonic, now called Great Bar- 
rington. This was called the ore path ; and iron ore, in leathern bags, 
was transported on horses, over this road, frcmi the Ore Hill to the forge. 
Another path connected the Ore Hill with Lamb's iron works, at Lime 
Rock ; and another extended from Lamb's works to the fording place, 
about one-half mile below the present Falls Bridge. 

In the division f)f the town, by the proprietors, an allowance^, for roads 
Avas made, over nearly all the lots, but none were actually located by 
them, unless it was the six-rod highway, over the first division lots, 
aci-oss Town Hill. The first recorded survey of a highway, was made 
November 6, 1744, from Gabriel Butcher's, in the northeast section of 
the town, to Benjamin White's. Another, the same y^ear, from Cornelius 
Knickerbacor's, at the Furnace, to Samuel Bellow's, at the eastern foot 
of Smith's Hill. Another, in 1746, from White's, in Weatogue, w^esterly 
to the foot of the hill, called by us Frink's Hill. This road has been 
discontinued for several years. Another, the same year, from Furnace 
Village, by Nathaniel Everts', to the Colony line ; and another, the same 
year, from Thomas Baylis', at the center, easterly, to the foot of the 
mountain, near Chauneey Reed's, and thence southerly to T/urib's iron 
works. These were among the first legally established highways. 



"J5 

The first hridp' crcctcil across Ihc Ilousatoiiic rivci-, \v:'s the falls 
l)ri(I<i:i', lor many years known as liurrairs hridu'c 'I'liis l)ri(lo^e was 
built alioiit tlu' yriw 17 t4. Dutclici-'s hridj^c was crcctccl in 17()0. A 
bridgv at the south part of the town, about one-half mile below the pres- 
ent bridge, was erected about the year 1790. It was built by funds 
raised by a lottery granted by the General Assembly^ and was long 
known as the lottery bridge. Tt was diseontinued upon the opening of 
the present road, called the Johnston road, leading i'roui Ibe late Na- 
thaniel (ireen's to South Canaan, in the year ISOS. r»ef(>re tlie erection 
of thes(^ bridges, access to this town was ditHcult from I lie east. There 
were but few fording plaecis upon the river, and these could only be ini- 
firoved when the river was very low, in the summei- or fall. Indeed, I 
l)elieve no more than one fording place was improvecl, which was about 
ojie-halt mile below the falls l)ridge. The river eould be forded, with 
some dilHculty, near William Sai'dam's. Canoes were used for the 
transportation of persons, and I have not been able to leai-n whether any 
ferries were at an}' time established: 1 believe theic weie none. Horses 
and eattle could eross the river only by swimming. 

In investigating some titles, some years ago. of lands in W'eatogue, 1 
found the prominent desi-ription of one corner of a tract, to be, ('hrisid- 
/t/icr's ca/we ])lacc. 1 infer, therefore, that this was a well known t'ross- 
ing, an<l near to the present I'esidenee of llulolf Dutcher, in Canaan, 
whose ancestor was Christopher Dutcher. 

Pei'haps there is not an ancient highway in (he town, which can now 
t»e accurately detinful. We can depend only upon the practical location, 
or the dedication of the highways by usage, as the legal evidence of their 
existence and extent. 

Rev. ]\lr. C'rossman, in his Sermon, says, that the chai-tei- of this town 
was granted in 17b"!, and signed ])y (ioveruor l>aw. This is an error. 
Mr. Crossman has confounded the charter of the town with the deed oi' 
contirmation, which deed was executed in INIay, 174o, and signed l)y 
(iovernor Law. 

This town was originally attached to the county of .New lla\en, ami 
remained a part of that county until the county of Lilchtield was consti- 
tuted, in 1751. 

For several years after the incoi'jjoration of the town, little business, 
which to us would appear important, was transacted. 'I'he ministerial 
and school lands were leased upon long t<'rms of years, and a fund 
created for the pai'tial suppoi't of the gospel and the schools. These 
funds remain, diiiiinished somewhat by the depreciation of continental 
money during the war of the revolution, but since have lieeii increased 
from other sources. 

By-Laws and regulations for the killing of beasts of prey, were nee- 



16 

essary for some years, ami bounties were offered for their (lesti"uction. 
Wolves, especially, were ainindant, and eoniniitted extensive depreda- 
tions. It is only within a lew years, that they have been driven entirely 
from our moimtains. Bears, deer, and other game for the hunter, were 
also luimerous, and many and interesting have been the tales of the 
hunters' feats, with which the old men of other days have amused their 
children. The last of Bruin's race, ever found u))on our soil, was killeil 
\)\ lliehard P. Stanton, on tlie moiuitiiin cast of 'IMionias IJ. Uosworth's, 
in the winter of 1821. 

As one of the most prominent purposes to be accomplished by corpo- 
rate privileges, was the supjiort of the gospel ministry here, so the earli- 
est efforts of the town were directed to that object. As early as -Fanu- 
aiy, 1742, a committee was appointed to "seek out for a minister to 
preach to us threes months.'" As yet, there was no estaldished place of 
puldic worship in the town, and no Iniilding which could accommodate 
even the then few inhabitants ; and therefore the town designated places 
of woi-ship in its different sections, that all might be ailternately accom- 
modated. The house of Henry Vandusen at Weatogue, of (!ornelius 
Fvnickerbacor at Furnace Village, and of Nathaniel Jiuell at Lime Rock, 
were established as ^jlaces of meeting; and this system was pursued 
luitil after the call of Mr. Lee. 

In June, 1742, a gentleman whose name was llesterbrook, was em- 
j)lo3ed to preach three months. Of this gentleman, or his character, I 
know nothing. In April, 1748, an unsuccessful attempt was made to 
call a minister. In the succeeding month the effort was renewed, and 
Mr. Thomas Lewis was invited to preach on prol)ation. He j)reached 
seventeen Sa])bat]is, but not proving acceptable to the people, no call 
for settlement was given. 1 have not been able to learn any thing of the 
history of Mr. I^ewis. On the 8d day of January, 1744, Mr. Jonathan 
Lee, of Lebanon, received a call for settlement, which was accepted. 
The letter of acceptance was as follows : 

"Saijsuikv, August 1!), 1744. 
" To the Inli(ilnt(int!< of Ikv 'I'oioi afortsaid. 

"(iKNThEMKN AND Bhethren, — I havc again carefully considered your 
call to me to lal)oi- with you in the sacred work of the gospel ministry. 
1 have endeavored to hear and discern the call of Ood, which is my onl}' 
rule to act by. I have considered your proposals for my maintenance 
and support ; among whicli, as I understand them, are as follows : — You 
have voted annually to give me forty pounds, lawful money, which, in 
Old Tenor monciy, amounts to £1(;0 pounds. And for the fourth year of 
my ministry, you have voted to add tifty shillings, lawfully mone}' ; and 
for the lifth year, you have voted to add lifty shillings more, of th(; same 
tenor, and so to continue, which amounts to £180 pounds of Old Tenor 



1'^ 

bills, boino^ £4.') pounds of l-awlul niouej-. And having ivceiv(id encour- 
agenn'uts of othur neeilud assistances and helps, and, as far as I can 
discover, I beino; called not only of you, Init of (rod, I thercfoi-c do here- 
by testify mine acceptance of the call, and your proposals, and hereby 
profess my willingness to labor for your good in the work of the gospel 
ministry, according as I may be assisted Ij}- the grace of Almighty (Jod; 
and hoping ami trusting in his goo(bi(;ss, and depending upon a contin- 
ual remembrance in the fervent pi'ayers of the faithful, I give and devote 
myself to C'hi'ist, and my sen-vices to you for his sake, who am your 
friend and servant, ".Jonatmais J^kk." 

He had preached on probation for a short time before. Previous to 
Mr. Lee's call, the town had voted to erect for the minister a log house, 
thirt}' feet long and twenty-four feet wide. A clergyman of the present 
(-lay would consider such accommodations s(jme\vhat restricted! This 
house, too, was intended, and used temjjoraril}', as the meeting house, 
and was situated near the northwest corner of Thomas Stiles" garden. 
The terms of ]\lr. Lee's settlement, aside from the i-ight of land appro- 
priated to the tirst minister, were forty pounds, lawful money, with an 
annual increase until it shoukl amount to fort3'-tive pounds, or one hun- 
dred and eighty 2>ounds in Old Tenor bills ; as appears l)y his letter of 
acceptance. 

Though our fathers were indeed pool-, and had few facilities for raising 
llie means of support for their Minister, yet the privileges of the Gospel 
were to them of inestimable value, and to enjoy them, was the great 
purpose of their association ; and they sul^mitted to pi-ivations little real- 
ized by us, to attain and secure them. And after all, had not their Min- 
ister himself made sacriHces equally with his jjeople, their efforts would 
not have succeeded. The log house erected for the Minister was not tin- 
ished when Mr. Lee came here with his family, and his fii'st dwelling- 
place was an apartment temporarily fitted up in the end of a blacksmith's 
shoj), with stools for chairs and slabs for tables. And the poor Minister 
was often compelled to cai-ry his l)ushel of wheat upon his Ijack to 
Lamb's mill, for grinding! 

ilr. Lee having accepted the call to settle here, he and Thomas ChiiJ- 
raan, Esq., were requested by the town to tix upon the time of Ordina- 
tion, and "-ayrcc upon the men to do the work." On the 2od daj' of No- 
vember, 1744:, Mr. Lee was ordained by a select ordaining council — the 
men agreed upon to do the ivork, at the log house which had been erected 
for his use. ^Vhy a select council was called to perform this service, 
instead of the Consociation, to which the town belonged, we are not in- 
formed. The proceeding was afterwards condemned as irregular, and 
as a departure from the Saybrook Canons ; and several of the council 
were censured for participating in the Ordination, without the advice of 
3 



18 

the Association.* No evil, however, I'esulted to the town from this pro- 
cedure, nor was Mr. Lee at all ijnplicated in its irregularity. The eon- 
neetion of INIr. Lee with this people was long and succe.ssful, and attend- 
ed, perhaps, with as much harmony as was usual in those dajs of acqui- 
escence in ecclesiastical measures. 

Mr. Lee continued to be the sole settled Minister here fortj-four years. 
lie died October S, 1788, and was interred in the old centin- burjing-yard. 
I never knew this gentleman, and can only speak oj' his character as a 
matter of reputation. I have ever iniderstood he was a man of sagacity 
and respectable intellectual powers, as well cultivated by science as was 
usual for the clerg}' of that day. He was a graduate of Yale College, 
of the class of 1742. The family of Mr. Lee was numerous, and some 
members of it in after life distinguished. His sole .surviving son, Rev. 
("^hauncey Lee, D. D., we rejoice to meet and embrace on this occasion. 
Many of the descendants of our first Minister i-emain yet with us, sus- 
taining highly respectable characters. 

It was not ixntil the 23d day of April, 1746, that the town voted to Iniild 
a meeting house. And the place first designated foi* this jjurijose was 
the elevated ground north of .Fohn C. Cofiing's dwelling house. This 
location was opi)osed I13' the people at the north part of the town, and in 
May, 1747, a committee, consisting of Ebenezer ]\Iarsh, Joseph Bird, 
and Josej^h Sanford, was appointed by the general court to designate 
the place for the meeting hoxise. The committee designated two places ; 
one where the town had by its vote fixed it, and another a little north of 
Joseph Lee's dwelling house. Joseph Lee dAvelt whei-e William Bush- 
uell now lives, nearl}- oj^posite this house. The (Jleneral Court directed 
the house to be Ijuilt near ]Mr. Lee's, and that the sills of it should enclose 
the stake i^laced l)y the committee, exactly in the center. Measures were 
immediately taken to build the house ; the time of the rainng was fixed, 
and the town voted, that Ensign Saiuuel Bellows should procure sixteen 
fjallons of rum, and Sergeant Samuel "Moore eight bushels of wheat, to 
be made into cake, for the raising. The meeting house was raised on 
the 24th and 2;")th days of JNIai-ch, 174i), on the spot where the Hotel now 
stands, opi)osit(( this house. The town had no title to the land on which 
they erected their meeting house ; but jNlr. Robert Walker, of Stratibrd, 
one of the original proprietf)rs of the town, by deed dated 29th May, 
1750, gave to the town a small ti'iangular piece of land, on the west side 
of the highway, including the meeting house, for a burying j'ard. This 
])iece of land extended fr<im the south line of the old burying 3'ard, 
northerlv, alono- the hio-hwav, formins: an acute ano'le on the hiofhwav, 
nearly opposite the present school house. This burying place lias Ixmmi 



•a"nmi. His. Con. 2 Vol, pp. 495, 518. 



19 

since enlarged by purchases of land from Mr. Jeremiah Bushnell, on it« 
western side. 

At the same time, Mr. Walker (■onveyed to the town, for a parade, a 
piece of land on the east side of the liighway, on which the Congrega- 
tional meeting house now stands. It was bounded south by the high- 
way, then open, and running easterl} , through Stiles and College gi-ants, 
to Lamb's iron Avorks; it was six rods in width, and extended north, 
from the aforesaid road, twenty rods. The old meetinghouse continued 
to be used as such, fifty years only, and until the present Congi-egational 
meeting house was finished, in the year 1800. It was used for town and 
society meetings until the year 1813, when bj' lease dated tl«e 19th day 
of January, 1813, the town conveyed it to the late Simeon Granger, on 
condition that he and his assigns, (should at all times furnish the town 
with a conA'enient room for town and society purposes, public libi'aries, 
vtc. Tlie lease included, also, the vacant lands derived from ]VIr. Walk- 
er, on tlie west side; of the highwaj", Avhich had not been before disposed 
of. nor included within the biu'ying yard. A considerable portion of this 
was then used as a public highway, extending westwardly, up the hill, 
and has never been discontinued as such, but still remains open and used 
as the only practicable way to the burjnng yard. 

In 1789, the parsonage committee was directed to a2)ply to I\lr. Chaun- 
cey Lee, son of the deceased minister, to j^reach here on probation. 

In November, 1790, a call was given to Rev. AVilliam F. IMiller, and 
in 17!»1 a call was given to Rev. John Elliott, to settle here in the min- 
istry ; but both invitations wei-e declmed. On the "2d of October, 1792, 
a call was unanimously given to Rev. .lames Glassbrook to become the 
minister of this people, mider restrictions and conditions such as I sup- 
I)ose the ecclesiastical authorities could not have ap})roved. The call 
was accepted. It Avas a mere hiring for an unlimited time, with libert\' 
to either town or minister, to dissolve the coimection, upon a previous 
six months' notice. The assent of the Association was neither asked nor 
giA'cn. Mr. Glassbrook Avas a Scotcli gtuitleman of popular talents, but 
for some cause, not now vei-y well defined, his jjopularitA' Avancd fast, 
and before the expiration of his first year's service, the town gaA^e him 
notice to quit. Mr. (41assbrook did not long surAive this event, but died 
at his residence, Avhere Mr. Revilo Fuller now lives, on the 8th day of 
October, 17?)3. 

The Rev. Timothy (!ooley was invited to settle here on the 30th day of 
October, 179,"), but refused. On the 27th day of March, 1797, Rev. 
.loseph Warren Crossman, of Taunton, Mass., accepted a call here, and 
was soon after ordained, and continued a successful ministry, until his 
death, on the I3th day of December, 1812. Mr. Crossman was a grad- 
uate of BroAvn Um'Aersity, R. I. Of this good man, we haAe not yet 



20 

ceased to speak. He was a niau of great excellence of character. As 
a preacher, many excelled liim ; as a pastor, he exhibited a model 
worthy of all imitation. Prudence was prominently displayed in all his 
intercourse with this people. The religion he preached was exempliiied 
in himself. He loved his fellow men, not because they bore the same 
sectarian name with himself, but l)ecause they were his fellow men. He 
was the ininister of a denomination, but he was the friend ol" all. His 
piety was not spcyled by prejudice, and he could joyfully recognize a 
disciple of his Master, as well among the nnnistcr.'i, as the peojde of 
other denominations. 

The ecclesiastical concerns of the Congregational parish, in conformity 
with the general usage of this Colony and State, had been managed by 
the town, previous to the year 1804, in which year a Congregational 
Society, distinct from the town, was organized, and succeeded in all the 
property and interests which the town had managed in its ecclesiastical 
capacity. 

After the death of Mr. Crossman, no minister was settled here until 
the year 1818. In the meantime, several attempts were made to cllect 
this purpose. 

From the first establishment of religious ordinances in this town, until 
the death of I\Ir. Crossman, there existed, perhaps, as much harmonx' in 
the ecclesiastical relations of the town, as prevailed generally in New 
England parishes. Here and there, perhaps, a root of bitteruess would 
and did spring up, but it soon dropped, and left no permanent evidence 
of its existence behind. 

On the r)th day of April, IHK), the Society, by a divided vote, called 
Mr. John B. AVhittlesey to become its minister. This was an occasion 
of much subsequent excitement. The friends of Mr. AVhittlcsey were 
numerous and respectable, and his opponents influential and determined. 
For a time, the permanent union of the Society seemed to be in danger. 
Mr. Whittlesey at tirst accepted the call ; the opposition to him continued 
and increased ; he doubted, tlu^i declined. His friends jx'rsistcd, and 
again he accepted the call, l)ut finally declined altogether. During this 
strife, much exasperated feeling was manifested. But new candidates 
begat new preferences, so that harmony was again restored, and the 
S()c-i(!ty, by a united vote, on the 2(5th day of July, 181 o, invited the set- 
tlement of ]\Ir. Chauncey A. (Goodrich, now Professor in Y;vle College, 
but without success. Again another unsuccessful call was given, and on 
the 2dth day of November, 181(5, Mr. Federal Burt, of Southampton. 
Mass., Avas solicited to become our minister. 

But in Novinnbcr, I.S17, a call was given, under some opposition, to 
Mr. I^avius Ilydc, of Fi-anklin, which was accepted, and iNIr. Hyde was 
ordained mi tlic isth day of March. IMS. Socm, however, increased 



21 

oppfisition a])peared, and the harmony ot' the Society was once more 
broken up. Touneils were called for consultation anil advice, and at 
leno;th, after a faithful, hut unhappy service of about f<iiii- \car>, Mr. 
Hyde was dismissed from his char*je. Some of us yet remain, who par- 
ticipated in the excitement produced by Mr. Hyde's ministry ami dismis- 
sal ; and as I Avas one, among many, who bin'e a testimony, somewhat 
active, in favor of that good man; so T rejoice that, on this oc-casion, I 
have an opportunity to renew and perpetuate the evidence of my af- 
fection. 

The Society remained dcstitTite of a settled ministry, until Rev. Leon- 
ard E. Lathrop was installed, on the 2d day of February, 1825. INIr. 
Lathrop was a distinguished graduate of Middlebury College, Vt., and 
had been ordained as a Presbyterian minister, and had been settled as 
the jKistor of a Presbyterian parish in Wilmington, X. C. Few clerg\'- 
men jiossess, to such an extent, the contidence of the entire community, 
as did ^Ir. Lathrop the respect of all classes and denominations in the 
town. The regret at jjarting was deep and mutual. Mr. Lathroi), at his 
own solicitation, was dismissed from his Society here, on the 2r)th of 
October, 1836, and was soon after settled in Auburn, N. Y. 

Kev. Adam Roid, a native of Scotland, was ordained as pastor of the 
( ongregational Church and Society here, on the 27th of Se^jtember, 1837. 

Until the year 1824, pxd)lic worship), in the Congregational Society, 
was supported by the taxation of its members. This system has been 
since abandoned, and the \'c>hmtary princii:>le successfully adopted. Ex- 
perience, both here and elsewhere, has fully proA'ed that the clerg\- are 
better supported bj' a I'eliance upon the affections of the people, than by 
a resoi t to legal coercion. ( )ur laws, in all matters of a religious nature, 
(^Hectually protect, but do not compel. The present mmiber of com- 
mimicants in the Congregational Church is about three hundred. 

This town, like most New England towns, was settled by the descend- 
ants of the Puritans, and of course the peculiarities of Puritan faith and 
practice were engrafted upon and intcj the habits, both of feeling and 
action, and gave character to the institutions of the town. But this was 
not universal. The earliest settlers were of Dutch descent, emigrants 
i'rom the Province of New York, who were not entirely assimilated to 
their neighbors of New England origin. Some of these were inclined 
to Quakerism, and others, especi.illy the Vanduseij family-, were paitial 
to the institutions of the English Church. .\t an early period in our his- 
tory, several of our most respectable families were found sinccridy at- 
tached to the Church of England. Among these were the Landons, the 
( 'hittendens, the Chapmans, the Bissells, the Selleck's, the Moore's, and 
some others. But as no ecclesiastical organization, in eonformity with their 
views, could then be had, they supported the establishinl church here, and 



22 

united in sustaining the institutions of religion, as approved by their 
Congregational brethren. Before the war of the revolution, thei'e" were 
so many families belonging to the Church of England, in this town, that 
some efforts were made at organization, but nothing effective. There 
was a church editice in Sliaron, before the war, Avhich was occasionally 
occupied by Missionaries of the Church of England, among whom was 
Rev. ^Mr. Davies ; to which the Salisl)ury Churchmen resorted, for the 
enjojunent of religious ordinances and worship. But upon the com- 
mencement of the revolutionary struggle, these Missionaries were prac- 
tically silenced, and the church was converted into a prison house. It 
was common, then, to bi-and all Churchmen as Tories — a charge untrue, 
and of course luigenerous. The Churchmen of that day were necessarily 
dependent upon English charities, English sympathies, and English 
Episcopacy, for the px'otection and support of their religious privileges . 
It was but natural that they should hesitate longer than others, who had 
no such religious partialities, in engaging in a struggle b}- which every 
tiling to them valuable in religion was put to hazard. But in very many 
and jirominent instances, here and elsewhere, the hatred of oppression, 
the paramount love of home and country, prevailed. In this town, 
Timothy Chittenden, Col. Blagden, Dr. Lemuel Wheeler, and others, 
were as active supporters of the war, as they were zealous ft-iends of the 
Church. And so it was, to a considerable extent, throughout the whole 
counti-y. And as a partial refutation of a very general and stereotj-ped 
calumny upon the patriotism of the members of the Church of England 
in the United States, it cannot be considered irrelevant to refer to George 
Washington, ,lohn Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, who have, with mucli 
propriety, been called the gi'anite pillars of the revolution, as well as to 
Rufus King, Bishop White, and very many others. These men were 
Ei)iscopalians. Were they Tories? But this is digression. Not long 
after the close of the war, in 1788, the Protestant E])iscopal Church in 
the United States was organized ; and it was organized ui)on a system 
entirely independent of the English Church, and, in many of its most 
prominent features, essentially variant. Soon afterwards, an Episcopal 
parish was organized here, but for many years was too feeble to erect a 
church edifice, although several attempts to do this were made. 

In 1792, several individuals contributed to the pui'chase of a piece of 
laiul for the site of a ^"hurch, of the late Robert Walker Lee, opposite 
I he dwelling house of the late Dr. James R. Dodge. This land was con- 
vcycil tn Mr. f>uther liolley, who was one of the contributors, in trust 
for tlic members of the E})iscopal Church. The service of the Church 
was for fiHUi' time regularly performed by Capt. Timothy Chittenden, 
and the late Samuel Moore acted as the Clerk of the parish. (Occasional 
visits were received from the neighboi-ing clerg}', Rev. Messrs. Bald- 



23 

win, ]\I;irs]i, Huvhans, Bostwick, and oflicrs. I'.islioj) Scal)ui-\ also visi- 
tor! the parisli, and adniinistcrcil conlirniatiiui. 'I'iic places oT nieelinjz' 
and woi'sliip were at the school house at Furnace Villai^'c, and at the 
dwelling honse of Dr. Lenniel Wheeler. At a later time, Rev. Sturgess 
(iilbert and (Jeorgi; I>. Andrews frequently })erfornied divine service for 
the Episcopalians in this town, and by tin; spirited exertions of the latter 
gentleman, seconded by the eontribntions of the friends of the Chui-ch, 
and generous assistanee from some liberal indixiduals ol" other denomi- 
nations, the present ehureh building was erected in tlie 3'ear \S-J'2. Ki^v. 
Stephen Beach was placed ht^'O, as the tirst Rector of the Salisbni-y 
K])iscoi)al Societ}', in IS-io, and oitieiated here two-thii'ds of the time, 
until lSo2, when he resigned his charge, and removtul to East Ihuldam. 
He was succeeded by llev. Lucius W. Purdy, who otliciated, alternately, 
in this town and Sharon, until the year LS:l(i. The pn^sent Rector is 
Rev. David S. Devins, of C'harlestown, Mass. 'I'hc i)resent number of 
(.•onimunicants is abt)ut thirty. 

Before the war of the revolution, there were but few Methodists in 
this country, and 1 believe nonc^ in New England. The Methodist 
preachers, upon their arrival here, soon aftei' the war. found their ear- 
liest friends among the former tuUierents of thc! Chui-ch of England ; the 
doctrines of which t'hnrch they believed and taught. The loimders of 
Methodism, Messrs. John and Charles Wesley, lived and died ministers 
of the English Church. Ujion tin; tirst appearance of the Methodists, 
the C!hurches of all denominations, both in England and tin; United 
States, had relaxed much in energy and sj^iritual life. VVhitetield, to be 
sure, like a meteor, brilliant, but evanescent, had passed through the 
i-ouirtry, and enkindled a warmer spirit in many places, and excited a 
religious curiosity. The public mind seemonl to be waiting for some re- 
ligious developments, when Mr. Wesley's preachei-s arrived. 'I'hey 
were not receiv'ed with favor in New England ; theii- doctrines and prac- 
tice were at entire variance with the staid notions of our T/u'olo(/i/. As 
early as the year 17S7,the tirst Methodist preachci', Mr. Talcott, 2)r(!aelied 
in this town. He was soon followed by Messrs. Candle. .\.l)bott, Free- 
liorn Carretson, Feter Moriaty, Sanmel VVigton, Samuel liloodgood, and 
others, zealous ministers of the new sect. 

In this town, if the Methodist preachers were not received with gen- 
eral favor, they were not persecuted. In ITSS, the town, ))y its vote, 
gave libtu-ty to Mv. Garretson to preach in the meeting house, and Dea- 
con Nathaniel Buell threw open his house, as a preaching house, foi- the 
Methodist ministers. School houses were most commonly improved as 
preaching places. This town was included in a circuit, extending from 
the Hudson river, as far east as Canaan in this ct)unty ; and the pi-each- 
ing places were visited once in each fortnight by the cu'cuit preachers. 



24 

Tlio. house of "Sir. El(lri(li:,-(', in the wostern \>i\rl of the town : the house 
of .lames llohiios, at the north, and of Nathaniel C'luirch, in the eastern 
jiart of the town, for sevei'al years, were the most frecjuent preachiuj; 
[daces. Tlie first Presi(lins>' EhU^r, in this District, was Rev. Freelmrn 
CJarretson; and the first (juarterly meeting, or eommunion season, here, 
was hohk^i in tlu^ barn of Tliomas Bird, at the west ])art of the town. 
The first chiss organized under Mr. Wcsley^'s sj'stem, which inchided 
any of the inhal)itants of this town, was constituted at the dwelling 
house of AN'illiani Ti'atiard, in Canaan, near the present Methodist meet- 
ing liouse in South Canaan, about the year 17SS, at which time Mr. Eli- 
sha Morton and his wife, Rufus Landon and his wife, Aaron ]\Iills and 
Ins wife, and my lather, Nathaniel Church, inhabitants of this town, weiv 
admitted members of the Methodist Societ}'. Of these, all have gone to 
their reward, except my vencrabh; friend, now sitting near mc, Mr. Ru- 
fus Landon. 

Tlie Methodist meeting house in South Canaan was erected and i)artly 
finished, as early as 179.'), 1 believe; within a few years it has been fin- 
isiied in good taste. The meeting house at Furnace Village was built 
in ISK;, and the chapel at Chapinville in l<s;5:i. For man}' jears, this 
town was included within a circuit, l)ut for some years recent!}', it has 
been made a station for a resident minister, who ofiiciates at Furnace 
\'illage and Chapinville. Among the Methodist preachers of distinc- 
tion, who have officiated in this town, have been Rev. Samuel Merwin, 
Rev. Nathan Bangs, D. D., now President of the Wesleyan Uni\ersity, 
and Rev. Samuel Lucky, D. D. The number of communicants in the 
Methodist Church in this town, at the present time, is 126. 

I know not that any other organized body of Christians, than such as 
I havi' spoken of, has existed here. There have been a few Haptists 
and Universalists, but no Societies of either of tliese denominations. 

1 have, as my means of knowledge pennitted, given you the history 
of our religious denominations. Of their spiritual condition I presume 
not to speak. The disclosures of eternity can alone i*eveal it. 

In no particular, perhaps, has a greater change come over us, since 
the days of our fathers, than in the tone ami fashion of religious action 
and feeling. Our first meeting house had neither bell, nor cushion, nor 
car])et; but it contained sincere worshipers. At this day, when the 
c-ourse of the wind and the state of the clouds are so anxiously consulted 
on the Sabbath morning, it is thought impossible for a congregation to 
nniiain through the tim(» of religious worship, without the luxury of the 
cushion and the stove. Our fathers regarded these Ijixuries and com- 
forts less than their desc(>ndants ; yet the}' resorted to such means as 
wei*e within theii- power, to render the services of the Sabbath comfort- 
able, as well as profita])le. For this purpose, they erected several small 



25 

buildincrs near the meeting house, called by them, Sabba-day Bouses. 
A few families, associating in winter, apjiropriated each one of these to 
their use, and furnished it with fuel, took care that a cheerful fii-e should 
be foiuid burning on their arrival at meeting, that all might be; warmed 
before ''meeting ^M>ie," and to which they could resort at the intermis- 
sion, to spend it in cheerful and pious intercourse. 

Religious revivals, as they are now understood, w^ere hardly known in 
this town, before the ai'rival of the Methodist preachers ; and, when in- 
troduced by them, were regarded with jealousy. And it was many 
years after the IMethodists had become established in this vicinity, before 
they introduced camp meetings here. 1 believe the first camp meeting 
known in this region, was holden in Shai-on, in the year 1806. The 
itching ears, the fastidious taste, the severe criticism, which unsettle so 
many valuable ministers in these days, and distiu'b so many congrega- 
tit)ns, were not so much in exercise formerly. There was more respect 
for the clerical office, and less for the " forma loquendi." 

A review of our ecclesiastical histoiy, in more respects than one, af- 
fords ground of satisfaction. A history of intermingling sects has gen- 
erally been little else than a history of unchristian contentions, hi 
this town there has been as little disjilay of thisjinhallowed spirit, as in 
any other community. I find that men of diftering religious opinions, 
and denominations in nearly equal proportions, have enjo3'ed the confi- 
dence of our citizens, as toAvn officers, magistrates, and legislators. 
True, indeed, in Salisbmy, as elsewhere, sectarian jealousy has found a 
jilace ; and it is no good apology to say, it has been the error of the age. 
As w^ell may intemperance, or any sin, be excused as the error of the 
age. It is believed, by many, that a brighter da}' seems to be breaking, 
and a brighter light shining now. I hope these apjjearanees are not 
deceptive ; but I am not without my misgivings on this subject. It is 
certain, that as the genuine influence of the Christian reiigion shall be 
more and more felt, a wider range will be given to the exercise of a re- 
ligious charity, which shall include within its circle good men of all 
varieties and names. 

If there be any thing — ^any danger, against which, more than another, 
I would caution the youth of my native town, it is sectarian jealousy. 
This spirit has been, and to some extent now is, a withering curse and 
blight ujion all the endearments and charities of social life, wherever it 
has existed. A spirit opposed to the clearest 2)rinciples and duties of 
the C'hristian religion — the s])irit of the hypocrite ! My yomig friends, I 
wish I could persuade you, that, should any of you hereatter claim 
greater purity of life, or honesty of purpose, by reason of the sect or 
denomination to which you are attached, no intelligent man will give 
credit to your pretensions. 
4 



26 

Salisbury lias given birth f)r education to several ministers of the gos- 
pel ; among whom have been James Hutchinson, Samuel Camp, Chaun- 
cey Lee, D. D., William L. Strong, Henry P. Strong, Horace Holley, I). 
D., Isaac Bird, Jonathan Lee, M, George A. Calhoun, Edward Hollister, 
Edwin Holmes, Jusiah Turner, Joseph Pettee, Edmund Janes, Edwin 
Janes, and perhaps some others. 

In New England, the Church and the School were ecjual ul)jects of 
care ; and although our Salisbury ancestors professed, as their first ob- 
ject, a desire to be gathered into Church estate, yet this estate was un- 
derstood by them to include the School, as a consequence. 

In 1743, and before the settlement of a minister, the town voted to 
procure a school-master for one year ; and directed a school to be kept 
under the superintendence of a committee, three months at Weatogue, 
four months near Cornelius Knickerbacor's, at Furnace Village, and 
three months in the Hollow or Lime Rock. Robert Wain was probably 
the first school-master in the town, but his services were confined to the 
Dutch population at Weatogue. In December, 1743, the town ordered 
the building of two log school-houses, — one at Weatogue, and one at 
Lime Rock. Dr. WilsoA, or Williams, was the first school-master em- 
ployeil under the authority of the town. 

In January, 1745, five school squadrons, as they were then t-alled, 
were established; and the public school money was distributed to them, 
in proportion to the number of scholars in each. At that time, mone}' 
for the support of the schools was raised by a general tax upon the in- 
habitants of the town, and also from the rents of the school lands. 

In 1743, TlKHuas Newcomb, Benajah Williams, Thomas Lamb, Benja- 
min White, and Samuel Bellows, were appointed a conunittee to lease 
the lands on the school right for nine hunilred and ninety-nine years, 
taking securit}' for the avails. The fund thus raised composes a part of 
the present school fund of the town. 

In 1766, the number of scholars receiving instruction in the common 
schools was four hundred and eighty. Reading, writing, arithmetic, and 
the_^Assembly's catechism, constituted the full course of scliool instruc- 
tion tor many years. It is only within a period comparatively modern, 
that English grammar has found a place in the schools. 

Much complaint^ now exists against the state of our district schools, 
and many remedies have been suggestt^'d for their impi-ovement, in ovu" 
own times. The schools in this town have generally been well sus- 
tained, and always, where they have rectnved the patronage ainl over- 
sight of jjarents. 

Our si'hools, at times, if not generally, liavi; sustained a high charac- 
ter. And when they have not, it has been when more exciting objec-ts 
havi; engrossed the attention of our inhabitants. Although our public 



funds hav(; ample, yet momw alone cannot .sustain the eause of" connnon 
school eductition. Well (lualilied instruc-toi-s, a taithful visitation, and 
the constant watchfulness of parents, alone, t-an elevate and support tlie 
district schools, anil render them, as they are int(nided to be, the chief 
nui-series of science among us. 

In the winter of 1804, the town was hiohl}- excited by a collision be- 
tween the school visitors and the instructors, occasioned, as the instruc- 
tors claimed, bj' an unwarrantable interference with the religious opin- 
ions of some of them. Many of the school-masters were dismissed 
from their schools, and the school houses closed awhile. But hai-niony 
was restored again, and no evil abiding consequences resulted. 

The number of scholars between the ages of four and sixteen y(;ars, 
in the town last year, was seven hundred and eighty-nine, and the av(!r- 
age number for several years has been nearly the same. 

The public money appropriated foi- the use of the district schools last 
year was as follows, viz : 

Interest of the ancient school fund dcvixcd tVoni tlie s:tic of 
school land, .f;">4.1(3 

Amount received from the school fund of the state, 1005.1.0 

Interest of the town ileposit fund, derivetl from the ileposit 
of tlie public money, under a law of United States, passed in 
1S;{0, 1 IKS. 78 

$i3i.s.oy 

As connected with our public schools, and the subject of education, 1 
may advert to our libi-aries. Before the Revolutionary War, successful 
measures were adopted to establish a public library in the town. Mr. 
Richard Smith, an English gentleman of respectability, was a proprietor 
of the Furnace, and felt a deep interest in the welfai-e of the town. 
Through his agenc}', and from funds raised by several puljlie spii'ited 
individuals, a library, consisting of about two Jiundred volumes, was 
procured from London, and received the name of Smith Library. It 
was judiciously selected, and contained works of established excelleni-e. 
For man}- years it flourished and incrreased ; but within a few years, and 
by reason of the flood of light and ejihemeral books, with which the 
reading public for some time has been deluged, this library has become 
neglected, and many of its volumes dispei'sed and lost. 

In January, 1803, Mr. Caleb Bingham, of Boston, a native of this 
town, influenced by a generous regard for the youth here, presented a 
small library of one Inmdred and flfty volumes to the town, for the use 
of the young, and appointed a board of trustees for its management ; 
consisting of Rev. Joseph W. Grossman, Samuel Lee, Luther Holley, 
Asa Hutchinson, Peter Farnam, Phinehas Chapin, Timothj' Chittenden, 



28 



Elisha Storlino;, Lot Norton, Jr., aiirt Ronajali Biiig:ham ; all of whom, 
save two, are now dead.* These trustees liad power to lill vacancies in 
their own board. At that time, when books, especiallj^ useful to youth, 
were comparatively scarce, this donation was of jieculiar value, and 
grati^fiilly received by the toAvn. The library received the name of tlie 
" Binfjhmn Lihrari/ for Youth.'''' \i was a small beginni)ig, but it infused 
mto tlic youthlul population a now impulse ; and a taste for reading be- 
foce imknown was soon iliscoverable among the young. The l)ooks 
were sought for and read with avidity. The town, from time to time, by 
grants from its treasury, has contributed to its enlargement, and gener- 
ous individuals, too, have made to it valual)le adilitions. Among the 
beneflictors of this cherished institution, have been the late Professor 
Averill, of Union College, and the late Dr. Caleb Ticknor, of New York 
— a nejihew of its founder — and both natives of this town, and who, in 
common with many others, have acknowledged their obligations to this 
library for much of their success and distinction in after life. The gen- 
erous and unwearied eiforts of our respected friend, Mr. John Whittle- 
sey, in aid of the Bingham Liljrary for Youth, will be long remembered. 
The present number of well selected volumes is about five hundred. 

The iniiuence of our common schools and our libraries upon the char- 
acter of our citizens, has been very visible and salutary. A general 
taste for reading has been diffused among all classes. In 1810, there 
were received by subscribei'S, through the Post Office in this town, only 
eighteen newspapers, weekly ; — now there are three himdred and s}x.ty- 
six. These are political, religious, and literary. Besides these, many 
newspapers are distributed by the private post ; so that we have now 
probably, a newspaper circulation cuusideralily exceeding the number of 
oiu" electors. 

As nearly as I have been able to ascertain, the following persons have 
received Academical literary degrees from American Colleges, while 
inhabitants of this town, viz : lion. Nathaniel Chipman, James Hutch- 
inson, Samuel Camp, Jonathan Lee, -id, ElishaLee, Chauncey Lee, Gen. 
Peter B. Porter, Caleb Bingham, Thomas Fitcli, William L. Strong, 
Myron Holley, Horace Holley, Samuel Church, Thomas U. Waterman, 
Jonathan Lee, 3d, Orville L. Holley, Isaac Bird, Lot Norton, Jr., John 
M. Sterling, John M. Holley, eJr., Eli Reed, Graham H. Chapin, (jeorge 
A. Calhoim, Chester Averill, Albert E. Church, Caleb Ticknor, Roger 
Averill, George B. Dutcher, Edward Ilollister, tiurdon Spencer, Chai-les 
A. Lee, Edmund Reed, Churchill Colling, Joseph Pettee, Amos B. Beach, 
Josiah Turner, William G. Sterling, Eliphalet Whittlesey, Jr., Charles 
Whittlesey, George Bartlett, Samuel P. Church, and Jonathan Edwards 



"Asa Hutchinson and Lot Norton. 



29 

Leo. Of til is catalogue, thirtcoii have Ix'on liawvors, — twclvt- Clcriiy- 
iiion. — liv(; Physicians, — tour Isti'iictoj's. — two Fai-nicrs. 

Our lathers had hardly become settled in i'hurch c.^idLc, and iiad only 
begmi to taste th«^ tViiits of thcnr early and hardy enter]>rise, Ix'ton; the 
war, commonly called the French Wai-, commenced. But little is now 
renieml)or<Hl of the part taken in that wai- ))y our inhalntants. Nathan- 
iel Everts, 1st, was a lieutenant, and several nitni of this town enlisted 
into that service; among; whom were William Bradley, ,lohii Oweu, 
Timoth}' (Jhittenden, Peter Mason, and several others. 

In the war of the Ke\dlntion this town was not inactive. Few towns 
in the state of only e(jual population, conti'ibnted more efficient means 
in the prosecution of that eventful struggle. An embarrassment severely 
felt at the commencement of the war, was the want of a cavahy foi'ce. 
Sheldon's regiment Wfvs the lii-st body of cavali-y oi considerable effi- 
ciency wdiich joined the army. That ivgiment was raised in this town 
and this vicinity. Col. Flisha Sheldon, Lieut. -Col. Samuel Blagden, anil 
jNIajor Luther Stoddai'd, Avere attached to it. 

The services of ShehU)n"s regiment are fre(|uently alluded to Ity writers 
of American liistor}'. In 1780, malicious charges w'ere preferred against 
C'ol. Sheldon ; he was tried b}' a court martial, of which Col. Ilazen was 
President, at Fishkill, on the 2oth day of October, of that 3"ear. He was 
acquitted "with honor and full approbation,"' and his accuser, \)v. Dai'ius 
Stotklard, of this town, se\'erely censured. 

Before the commencement of the war, -Mr. llichaid Smith, an English 
gentleman, of whom I liave l)efore spoken, had piu'chased the furnace at 
Furnace Village, and then the only iron foundry, I believe, in this State. 
L^pon the In-eaking out of the war, being a loyalist, he retm-ned to Eng- 
land, and left his estate liei'C without an agent. It w"as not confiscated, 
but the State took possession of it, and appointed tlu* late Col. Joshua 
Poller their agent in its management. Here, on bc^half of the country, 
large quantities of cannon, shot, and shells, were made, in aid of the 
Kevolution, from the iron ore of the town; and the onUn-s of the (io\- 
ernor and Council, upon their agent, vfere frequent, for these necessaries 
of war. John .biy and (ioverneui- ^Morris were oftciii here, as agents of 
t-'ongress, superintending the toasting and proof of the guns. The can- 
non weiHf intended chietly for the navy; and after tin; close of tlir war, 
the Navy, to a considerable extent, was sui)plied with guns from this 
towai. 'Llie ship of Commodore Truxton, the Constellation, in her bril- 
liant and desperate i-onllict with the French ships. Insurgent and W'li- 
geaiice, was armed with Salisbury cannon ; as was the popular ship, the 
Constitution — "Old Iron Sides !"" These guns were not of beautiful or 
tinished workmanship, but they were of the most test- worthy metal. 

We may say, boastingly, that our mines fiu'uished the material, our 



30 

streams the ))owor, and our citizens the labor, by wliicli nnicli eflicienoy 
was jriven to tln^ great cause of American Inde])en(lenee! 

The enthusiasm and exi^itement occasioned by the aggressive acts of 
llie r>i-itisli Pai-liament, can hardly be appi'eciated by ns of this genera- 
tion. TlKirc was an electric spark comnuniicated to the extremes of the 
Colonies, prodncing a sinniltaneous action ever}" where. In this town, 
a meeting was called on the 22d day of Angnst, 1774, to deliberat(> n]ion 
the threatened state of the Colonies. S])irited resolutions were ndoptcd, 
accom])anicd by a preamble of the following tenor: 

"After reading and deliberating upon the several acts and laws, de- 
nouncing dangerous exertions of Parliamentary powei-, as well as a j)ar- 
tial, absurd, and self-confuted spirit of puniti\ c malevolence, particu- 
larly leveled against tlie Province of the Massachusetts Pay; and being 
deeply impresscul with the visibli; declension of the virtue and r(!ctitude 
of Pi-itish admin isti'ation, which threaten insupportable convulsi(ms to 
the whole empire; and willing, as far as in us lies, to wai'd oft' the im- 
pending ruin, and I'cvive the expiring liberties of the country: We re- 
solve," &c. 

The resolutions which followed, denounced the acts of Parliament, 
especially the Boston port l)ill ; a})proved the proposed call of a general 
CVmgress ; and })ledgcd the contril)utions of the inhal)itants, foi- the re- 
lief of their sutfering brethren of Boston, "from their plentiful hai-\cst'" ; 
and conc^luded I)}' appointing a coimnittee to take up subscriptions, con- 
sisting of Hezekiah Fitch, Esq., Capt. Elisha Sheldon, Luke Camp. Lot 
Norton, and Sanmel Lane; and also constitviting Col. Joshua Port(;r, 
Hezekiah Fitch, Abial Camp, Dr. J.,emuel Wlieelcr, and Josiah Stoddard, 
a Committee of Correspondence. 

On the oth day of the succeeding l)ec(Miiljer, the town expressiHl its 
acquiescence in the then recent resolutions of the Congress, and apijoint- 
ed Col. Josluia Porter, Luke Camp, JJeut. Xathaniel Buell, Lot Norton, 
Dv. Sanuicl Ia'v, Ca])t. dames P)ird, John Camp, Samuel Lane, William 
Bcebc, Ih^zekiah Fitch, and Capt. Elisha Sheldon, a conmiitte(! to carry 
them into ctfi^ct. At the ncjxt meeting of the town, a Connnittee of In- 
spection was appointed, and a committee of the same character was con- 
stituted anmiall}-, during tlie war. The duties of tliis committee were 
various; sucli as to look well to disaifected persons, to apjjrove of sub- 
stitutes for drafted men, to ins])ect all pi'ovisions intended for the army, 

The spirit of the peoph' did not waste itself in res(dntions, and the 
appointment of patriotic connnittees. What was expressed was intended, 
and was carried out in calnnn' moments, by continual and ellicient action. 
Every requisition of the (ieneral Assembly was complied with — men 
were raised — supplies were furnished on all occasions, when the emerg- 



81 

em-y of tlic wai- (Icmiuulcd llu'Ui, aiitl tn an (^xlcnl niiicli lic\uml (lie ro- 
quisitioiis ol" (lie (nMienil 'Assembly. 

On tlie 7th day of Ai)ril, 1777, Col. Nallianit'l liiicll, Lol Xoiioii. Abial 
Camp, Daniel Bin<;-ham, and (ieors^c JMursh, wiiiT appoinlcd a (•(>niiiiitt<>c 
t(t {^nconrage enlistments into the Continental Army, and In t'uinish the 
families of sneh as shonid enlist, with neeessai-ies, dui-ini;- their alisenee. 
A similar eonnnittee was aminally appointed, while the war eontinued. 

On the ()th day <>[' January, 177s, (he town, by resolution, apjtroved 
the Artieles of Confederation of the 'i'hirtoen United States, and in- 
strueti'd tlu'ir Kepresentatives in tlu; (lieneral Assembly to confer upon 
the l)ele<;-ates from this State, in Con<>:ress, suflic-ient authority to ratify 
them. 

In the spi-iii^- of I7.s(), tJii' (ieneral Asseml)ly ordered the raisin": "t 
live reo-iiiiciits for the Continental st^rviee ; and in .June, of the same; 
year, the town levied a tax of three-])euee on the pound, to be paid to 
the non-eommissioned offieers and soldiers who should enlist into the 
reji-iments. In January followin;^, the t(nvn voted to hire six men, to 
serve for one ^year, and ap^xiinted Luke Camp, Joshua Stanton, Timothy 
Chittenden, Nathaniel Buell, Lot Norton, and Capt. James Watrous, a 
eonnnittee for that jmrpose. 

In June, 17S1, (Jov. Trumljull issued his proelamation, olfering a 
bounty to encourage enlistments. This town forthwith authorized a 
grant of three poimds to every non-connnissioned oilletn' and pl•i^'ate, 
who should enlist here, for every three months' service, in addition to 
the oiler made by the (iovei'iior; and pi-eviously, in Felnaiary, 17<sl, Col. 
Nathaniel Buell, and the late Sanuiel Lee, Es(j., had been constituted a 
committee, to hire the enlistment of four men, for the defense of the 
western frontiers. And again, in February, 17.S-i, six men, in addition, 
wen^ raised, with an extra pay ivt twenty shillings each, per month, and 
a pair of shoes for each man, uj)on his marching to j(jin the arm}-. And 
on many subsequent occasions, necessary su|)i)lies for destitute soldiers 
serving in the Continental army, were raised here, and forwarded to the 
sutt'ering troops. 

Yes, men, as well as money and supplies, were found here, ready to 
serve the country and the cause, l)oth in the army and at home. Many 
of oui' most prominent, wealthy, and iniluential citizens, juined the 
troops, either in the militia ov Continental ser-vice ; and young men, sons 
of our best inhabitants, sought no exem])ti(in, but left cheerfully the en- 
deai-ments of home, in exchange for the privations of the camj) and the 
dangtu'S of the battle-lield. 

Among the officers were Colonels Elisha Sheldon, Sanuiel Blagden, 
Joshua Porte]', and Nathaniel Buell, — Majoi's Luther Stoddard and John 
Chi2)man, — Ca])tains Roger JNIoore, James Claghorne, James Holmes, 



32 

Joshua Stanton, Nathaniel Everts, Timothy Cliittenden, James Watrous, 
Jesse Sawyer, Samuel T^ane, and Kbenezer Fleteher, — anil Lietenants 
Nathaniel Chipman, Riehard Bifjnall, Adonijah Strong, Danitd Rrins- 
maid, and James Skinner. 

The names of more than one hundreti non-enmmissioned ollieers and 
privates, inhabitants of this town, who served in the Revolutionary 
Army, are now recollected, and will lie perpetuated by beinjz; lodij^ed in 
tJie Town Clerk's Office. 

Of the officers, but one now survives, — Hon. Nathaniid t'hipman, of 
Vermont. And I have not been informed that more than three oi- foiu" 
of the non-commissioned officers and privates are now alive. All who 
are known to me as surviving, are Rufus Landon, Hugh Montgomery, 
and David Reebe. 

Messrs. John Russell, Joseph Hollister, and Archibald (."ampbell, now 
and for many years our inhabitants, enlisted and served, before they be- 
came residents of this town. Mr. Russell was a Sergeant of Artillery, 
in the New York line of the army, and was for some time attached t« the 
military famil}^ of the Conniiander-in-Chief. IMr. Hollister was a Ser- 
geant from Glastenbury, and commanded a guard upon the Hudson riv- 
er, attached to General Putnam's commantl, which captured a, British 
agent, supposed to be a messenger with despatches from (ieneral Bur- 
goyne to General Clinton.* 

It is not to be denied, that among our inhabitants were some, who 
doubted the propriety of opposition to the demands of the mother coun- 
try, and who believed themselves restrained by their oaths of allegiance 
Irom taking part in the contest; or who considered armed opposition as 
])i-ema(ure and h<jpeless. But none here gave aid to the enemy, nor did 
any oppose the efforts of the Whigs. 

At length, in 1783, the battle ceased, — the victory was achieved, and 
the war-worn soldier returned to his home. The gratitude of the people 
was expressed in rejoicings and thanksgivings. On the (ith day of JVfay, 
17(S;), our town ai)i)ropriated thirty j)ounds of powder "to congratulate 
tiie Continental soldiers belonging to this town upon their return and dis- 
charge." A day of rejoicing was set apart, and Colonel Nathaniel Buell 
was api)ointed "to address the returned Continentals, and present them 
witii I lie thanks of the town, for their generous and si^irited exertions in 
the cause of tiieir country." Woi'thies, where are they now! Here and 
tiien^ a trembling memorial remains of this band of patriots ; and l)Ut 
one is here in this great assemlilagi^ If Brave men, what shall I say of 
you? The blessing of I'rovidence ui)on your eftbrts, and the elVorts of 
your associates, has l)rought to your country a glory envied by the 



'Dwigbt'B His. Con. 37(5. IMr. Rulus Laugdon, aged 82 years. 



33 

world. Ev«m crowned heads are compelled to walk circumspectly before 
your example ! To you, we owe, and our children will forever owe, a 
debt which money and pensions can never pay! We renew to you, who 
survive, the thanks which our fathei's expressed to you tifty-eig-ht yeai's 
ago ! Farewell, go join your comrades in a happy, holier country than 
any your arms have defended, and reap rewards richer than any your 
country can bestow ! 

But it is nt)t to the soldier, alone, that oiu' debt of gratitude is due. 
The pri\'ations and burthens of the Avar were universal. The action of 
this town (hu'ing the contest and at its termination, as yoii have seen, 
displayed a moral and political temperament, which demagogues of tliis 
day should blush deep, to review. 

In May, 17(S3, the peojile, in town meeting, gave what they called in- 
structions to their Representatives in the General Assemblj^. They de- 
clared it " to be their indispensable duty to use their influence, and make 
the most reasonable efibrts, tor the security both of their interests and 
rights, and early to have a sto}) put to injustice and oppression." They 
say, moreover, that " we ai-e sensible, when you c«une to act in your 
public characters, you will be under the obligation and solemnity of an 
oath, and we mean not to desire or request anything that shall infringe 
on your conscience or judgment." The ti"ue relation between the repre- 
sentative and th(! constituent, is here expressed. 

The town proceeded to recommend the following particulars : 

1 . That our jiublic accounts may he settled, so that a reasonable ac- 
count may be rendered of the expenditure of such vast simis of money, 
;is liave been granted and collected in this State, since the ccnmuence- 
mcnt of the late war. 

2. That effectual care be taken to prevent such persons as have been 
kiiown to be inimic;il to these States, from Ijeing admitted to be free 
citizens of this State ! 

8. That the recommendation of Congress respecting pay to the offt- 
cers of the army, for a number of years after the war, be wholly re- 
jected, as unjust and oppressive upon the 2>eople. 

1. That a suitable address be made to Congress, to suppress, prevent, 
and remove, such placc-vicn as hold trifling ollices, with larg(3 and un- 
reasonable salaries, which must ultimately be draAvn from the peo])le. 

These instructions were addressed to Ilezekiah Fitch and Elisha Fitch, 
Escpiires, who were at that tim(> our Rei)resentatives in the (ieneral As- 
sembly. They breatlie the tine sj)irit. They recognize no submission 
to cli^iues or caucuses, — the tyrants of the present day ; and tliey dare 
to rebid<e even tlie Congress itself. 

Flisha Fitch, Ks(]., for many years had been a disting-uished antl pop- 
ular man, and frequently represented the town in the General Assembly. 
5 



34 

In the spring session of 17^7, he made a very active opposition to tlie 
proposed call of a Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
Tliis opposition desti'oyed his popularity, and extinguished him as a 
piiblie man. Tlie Articles of Confederation were I'cvised, and the pres- 
ent Constitution of the United States was reconmaended to the people of 
the respective States, for adoption. The Convention of this State as- 
sembled to deliberate ujjon the Constitution at Hartford, in January, 
I7S.S. The Delegates who represented this town in that Convention, 
were Ilezekiah Fitch and Joshua Porter, Esquires, both of whom voted 
for the adoption of the Constitution. 

The revolutionary sti'Uggle had imposed impoverishing burdens ui)on 
the country. The times, in prospect, were gloomy, and the hearts of 
many were desponding. An immense debt had been contracted — com- 
merce annihilated — the currency depreciated — the public faith distrusted. 
In this state of affairs, a town meeting was called on the 11th day of 
March, 17<S,5, by which it was resolved, " That we will continue to main- 
tain harmony, good order, and imanimity, among ourselves, as well as 
the good and wholesome laws of societ}-^" A resolution like this, car- 
ried out to jiractical effect, would conquer difficulties not jihysically in- 
surmountable ; and nothing less than this will relieve us now, from the 
evils of which we at present complain ; and were it in order, I would 
propose; the same resolution for adoption in this meeting. 

I have remarked l^efore, that a green and a market-j)lace were re- 
served on Town Hill, in laying out the first division lots. That reserva- 
tion was never appropriated to its original destination; but, in 1785, the 
General Assembly estalilished a public market upon the meeting house 
green, which had been originally designed for a parade. The Selectmen 
were empowered to make by-laws and regulations for the market, an«l 
to dcHne its limits. Twice in each year, it was made lawful for all mer- 
chants, handicraftsmen, dealers, and others, to resort to the market with 
their vendible commodities. Such fairs were then e()mmon in this State, 
but were iinlawful without legislative license. They furnished days of 
festivity, and were of a demoralizing tendency. Horse-joi-keying and 
hors(;-racing 2)revailed, and perhaps stmic of tlie pi'opcnisities to yankcH' 
f rading' were ac(piired in schools like these. 

There was no Post Ollice in this town liefore the year 17!)_\ when ."Mr. 
Peter Farnam. at the Furmice Village, was ap]jointed Postmtisttu'. iVoA\ , 
we have six l^)st ()ffic-es within the limits of tJu; town. 

liclore the war, emigration from this town to Vermont had comnuMu-ed, 
;iii(l soon after its close, it was renewed; so that but few years had 
cla])sed befoi'e there was liardly a family connection in the town, which 
h;id not been ruplnrcsd l)y cnn'gration. Removals to the western ])art of 
the Slate of New York next followed; ami soon there was scarcelv a 



35 

village or settlement in that region, -wliich did not contain a, Salislnuy 
man. Tln^ Chipman's, Owen's, Bingham's, Camp's, Chapin's, Everest's, 
Sheldon's, Wliite's, Allen's, Skinner's, ('lagh(n-n's, Porter's, Stoddard's, 
Bronson's, Hanchett's, and otliers, of our aneient and prominent fami- 
lies, were much dismembered, and some entirely disappeared, by early 
emigration. 

The State of Vermont owes smnething to the men of Salisbur}, i'oi- its 
present position among the States of this Union. As early as 1701, 
John Everts, the same gentleman who was our first Representative; to 
the (ileneral C'ourt of this Colony, procured from (rov(!i'nor VVentwort, of 
New Ilamjjshire, the charters or grants of the towns of Middlebiu-y, 
New Haven, and Salisbur}-, in the former State. The first proprietors 
of jMiddlebury were almost all of them inhabitants of this town ; and 
these proprietors held their first meeting at the house of LaHdlord 
Everts, in Salisbury, and elected Matthias Kelsey, Ebenezei' Ilanchett, 
and James Nichols, to be the first Selectmen of Middlebury ! 

Some of the most en(;rgetic and resolute of the (ireen Mountain Bojs, 
emigratinl from this town ; and among tlwsc boij>< were Thomas Chitten- 
den, P^than Allen, Ira Allen, ami Jonas (Jalusha. Thomas Chittenden 
was fiiovernor of Vermont, with the exciqjtion of one year, from 177.S to 
171)7. In the earlj' disputes between the Province (jr State of New York 
and the settlers of the New Hampshire (i rants, no man was more acti\<: 
than Ethan Allen, lie defied the admonitions and the threats of the 
(roverner of New York, contained in a ]troclamation addressed to the 
settlers, and says, in a manifesto signed l)y himself and others, on the 
oth day of April, 1774, " \Ve fiatter ourselves we can nuister as good a 
regiment of marksmen and scalpers as America can atlbi'd, and we give 
the gentlemen (of New York) an invitation to come and view the dex- 
terity' ol' our regiment," &c. Ira Allen was, fin- mruiy jears, the Treas- 
urer, and Jonas Galusha the Governor, of Vermont. 

The history of the Western Reserve, in Ohio, is familiar with us. 
That tract of cf»untr}' was surveyed into townships by Augustus Porter, 
son of our distingiushed townsman, C'olonel Joshua Porter, assisted b}- 
other gentlemen ; among whom was our late excellent and much la- 
mented friend, John M. Ilolley, Esij. Among the original pvu-ehasers 
and 2Ji'oi>rietors of the towns of Cantield and Johnston, in Trumbull 
county, Ohio, and sonu; other towns in that Reserve, were James elohn- 
ston, Daniel .lohnston, Nathaniel Church, David Waterman, and Timothy 
Chittenden, of this town. Man}' of the earliest settlers of the town of 
Canfield, were our inhabitants, viz: — Champion Minard, James Doud, 
Aaron Collar, William Chapman, Ziba. Lo\'eland, lion. Elisha Whittle- 
sey, Ensign Church, and some othei-s. 

There has been a manufacturing interest in Salisburv, from the begiu' 



36 

ning; and yet we have been, pre-eminently, an agrionltural pe()])lo. 
There have been but few places in which the agricultural facilities have 
been more diversified than this, although the committee wliich first ex- 
plored our territory, had some d<Hibts whether it could sustain a suf!i- 
wni [wpyihitlon to t;i(jy}ort a mi7iiMc)- ! For many 3'ears, wheat was a 
stajile production; of late, the culture of this gi-ain is much diminished. 
TIic inrtux of flour from other regions, is the cause. The cultivation 
of Hax has been relinquished. Our farmers formerly fouiul their 
markets either with the mei'chants in town, or upon the Hudson 
river. The town market, except so far as it is sustained by the 
manufacturers, is now at an end, and ova- grain finds no market on the 
North i-iver; and j^et our agi'icnltural prosperity has been well sustained. 
This town, in common with other jdaces, has suffered by a fashioual)lc 
aversion to agricultural pin-suits, which, for some years, has been very 
perceptible. The experience of the few last years, however, has taught 
our farmers souie salutary lessons, and led them to appreciate more cor- 
rectly the su])erior advantages and independence ol" their condition. 
Few towns can boast of a more; intelligent agricultural population than 
ours. 

Formerly, there were not more than three well established mercantile 
concerns m the town — Holley's, at the Furnace — JSioore's, at the Center— 
and Chapin's, at Camp's Forge. Now, we have no less than thii'teen 
dry goods stores ! How they are sustained, if sustained at all, I am not 
informed. Not more than three of this number are engaged in the 
sale of ardent spirits ! 

The iron ore, the forests, and the frequent water power found hero, at 
a very early period introduced the manufacture of iron, and we have 
had but few other manufactories. The first forge was erected l)y Thom- 
as Lamb, in the Hollow, as it was formerly called, now called Lime 
Rock, before the charter of the town, and 1 believe before its sale at Hart- 
ford, in 17;58. L(vmh\<i Iron Works are referred to as existing in tin; ear- 
liest conveyances. They were probably erected as early as 1734. Soon 
afterwards, a grist mill and saw mill wei'e built just below, upon the 
same fall of water, by Lamb and others. The Lime Rock forge and fui-- 
nace of Messrs. Canfield & Robbins, now occuj^y the sites of these 
ancient works. Iron oi-e was first taken from the Hendricks ore bed, 
now called the Davis ore bed, to supply Lamb's iron works. Lamb was 
a proprietor of that ore bed. These works have subse(piently been oc- 
cupied by Thomas Starr, Martin Hoffman, Joel Harvey, Thomas Chij)- 
man, Jun., P^benezer Hanchett, Thomas Austin, and flames Jolmston ; 
and, for many years, were known only as Johnston's forge. 

Capt. Sanniel Beebe built a grist mill at the upper or Little Falls of 
the Housatonuc, where Ames' iron works now are, as early as 1742. It 



37 

was not many years in operalinn. A o:rist.niill was built hy Jolin ("orl)it, 
in the soutliwf^stern section ()l' the town, wli(U"<! Benedict's mill now is, 
in 17K;. 

.Jat-ol) Bacon and Daniel I'arkc, in 171.S, i)nill a <i:ris( mill and Inrfic 
upon Siiccnnops brook — the outlet of the ])ond in ( 'iia,|)in\ ille. Deacon 
Ifezekiah Camp became its proprietor in 17;")!), and th(^ forge rctaiiu^d 
the name of Camp's forge, for several years. The woi-ks at that i)lacc 
were afterwards owned by the late I'hineas Chapin. Es([., a descendant 
of Deacon Camp. The furnace now in opcM-ation uj)on the site of the 
old forge, was erected by Sterling, Chapin & Co., in the year ISjf."); and 
the neighborhood there then received the name of Chapin ville. 

Thomas Lamb, who owned the outlet of the Furnace I'ond, conveyed 
it in 174.S, t<) Henajah Williams, Josiah Stoddard, and William Sijcncei'. 
These persons soon after built a forge, near wln^i'c the T(>mains of the 

old fui'nace now are. Afterwai-ds, Moorhonse, Caleb Smith, John 

Dean, John Pell, (Jideon Skinner, Joseph , Jones, Elij)halct Owen, ,)ohn 
Cobb, and Leonai'd Owen, were at different periods its propi-icstors. It 
was called Owen's Ix'on Works. In 1.7()"2, Leonai-d Owen conveyed this 
property to .folm Haseltine, Sanmel Forbes, and Kthttn AlUn. These 
gentlemen erected the first blast furnace evei- I)uitt in this State, as I 
suppose. Charles and George Caldwell, <»f Hartford, purchased tiiis 
propeity in 17():}, and the}- conveyed it to Richard Smith, of Boston, in 
17G.S. Joseph Wliiting, William Neilson. I.,uther Holley, and UoUey it 
<!'olfing, have since been its propriett)rs. 

Thomas Lamb was proprietor of the watei- privilege on the mountain, 
since called Riga, and had conti-ol of the stream flowing therefrom. 
Very early he erected, a saw mill and grist mill on that sli-eam, about 
one half mile northwest of the Center A'illagi^ at or near the falls upon 
wiiich Clark's mills now stand, — as early, 1 think, as 1711. 'J'his ])ro])- 
ert}' was soon aftewards owned by Joel Harvey and .Insepli Parke, and 
from them has b<'en transmitted through various jiropi-it'tors to the pres- 
ent owners. 

Natlianiel Jewell, in 17o;j, built a grist mill on the northern liiu' of the 
town, near Sage's present works. 

No business was done at the great falls of the Housatonu<', before the 
erection of the paper mill, in 17.s;>. That manufactor}- was establisheil 
I)y the late Samuel Forbes, Escp and Nathaniel Church, and for several 
years w^as an active and prosperous concern. Paper was then made ex- 
clusively of lin.en rags, and by the slow process of the hand moukl. A 
saw mill and fulling mill were erected there about the same time. An 
extensive lumber business was prosecuted. Pine timber in large quan- 
tities,*and of excellent quality, was by the spring freshets annually 
drifted down the river fr(jm the towns above. 



38 

Abrnil tlie j-ear 1797, Oharles Loveland erected an extensive mann- 
iaetory oi' gim I)aiTels tliere... Tlie entire works, (except the saw niill, 
were desti'oyed by lire in February, ISOO, and never relniilt. For sever- 
al 3"ears thereafter, no active business was done in that neighborhood. 

Abner or Peter Woodin erected a forge at Mt. Riga, about the year 
17.S1. Daniel Ball succeeded; and tlie forge was many ycsars known as 
Ball's forge. Seth King and John Kelsey commenced building a furnace 
there, about isof!, but were not able to complete it. Tlie entire property 
in the forge and fuinace came into the hands of Coiling, Hollej' & Pet- 
tee, in the year 1810, who, the same yeai', tinished the furnace, and for 
many years prosecuted a veiy extensive and profitable business. Pig- 
iron, anchors, screws, ;ind various kinds of manufactured iron, were 
made there. This establishment, including the works at Lime Rock, 
were incorporattHl in l,S2.s, by the name of the Salisljury Iron C'ompany. 

The fui'nace near the Falls Bridge, was built lij' Leman Ri-adley, in 
1812. It was burnt in 1814, and immediately reliuilt. The; refining 
forge there was built by Canfield, Sterling & Co., in and the neigh- 
borhood, about that time, received the name of Falls Village. The iron 
works there and at Lime Rock, are now the property of Messrs. ( 'an- 
field & Bobbins. 

The iron works at the upper or little falls of the llousatomic, were 
built in 18;3o, by Eddy, Ames & Kinsley, but have since tliat time been 
much extended by Mr. Oliver Ames, their present proprietor. 

Within the last thirty years, our manuiactories have been con lined 
chicHy to in)n, in its several varieties, from the raw material to the tin- 
isheil article. Our mines have yielded an oi'e superior to an\' other yt!t 
found in this country, foi* all purjioses requiring great strength. I have 
allud(;d l)efore to the cannon made here in former years. Iron for the 
manutacture of muskets, anchors, chain cables, &c. is maile here of a 
superior quality, and has engaged the attention of the national govern- 
ment. We have now four blast furnaces in operation, and five refining 
forges. 

The daily consumption of charcoal in one of our furnaces, is about six 
hundred l)uslicls. .Vnd the average yield of i)ig iron, is about three tons 
per da}'. 

A refining forge will consume about three lumdrcd Imslu'ls of rharcoai 
at each fire, per wei^k. Our forges generally run with three fires each. 

In connection with the iron business of the town, it may be in i)lacc 
iiere to speak of our mineral resources. 

The ore bed in the west jiart of the town, i-allcd b\- way of distinction. 
The Old Ore Hill, is a tract of one hundrcul acres, originally granted by 
the General Court, in Oct., 17;U, to be laid out by Daniel Bissell, of 
Windsor. It was soon after surveyed and located by Ezekiel Ashley and 



39 

John Pell. The dcscemlimls (if Ashley arc at this day proprietors in 
that ore bed. From this mine tlic most aljimdaiit suppliers of ore have 
been luriiished. For many years the mineral was easily oI)tained 
nnrl with little exeavation. At this time it is mueli more ex])ensively 
raised. For the last twenty yeai's, the avera<^e quantity id' ore raised 
from the old ore bed, has been about four thousand and i'nv hundred 
tons, annually. The price when raised is now $-2.oO per ton, of whieh 
the pi'o])rietors receive $1.25, and the miners the balance. 
• The pro.prietors were incorporated many years ago. The present pro- 
prietors are the heirs of the late (len. lleniy Livingston, of Livingston's 
Manoi", Xew York, the heirs of the late Samuel Forbes, F^sq., of Canaan, 
and AVilliam Ashley, Esc]., of Sheffield, Alass. 

Tlu> ("hatfield Ore Bed, so called from its original proprietor, IMiili]) 
Chatfield, lies in the vicinity of the old ore bed. Formerly it was con- 
siderably work(Ml, but within a few years very little oi-e has been taken 
from it. It is owned by the heirs of the late Samuel Forbes, Esq. 

Ilendrick's Ore Bed, now called the Davis Hill, was at a very early 
})ei'iod owned by Thomas Lamb, the Halisbiirf/ spec?ilator, and ore was 
taken from it to supply his forge, at Lime Eock. At this time it is 
worked to a, considei-able extent. This ore bed is situated about a mile 
southwest of the Center Village, and is owned by the heirs of the late 
Samuel Forbes, Esq., the heii-s of the late Jared C'anfield, and by the 
late tirm of Ilolley & Coiling. The Bingham Ore Bed, since called the 
Scoville Ore Bed, lies about three miles northwest of the Center Village ; 
it has not been imprcjved for many 3'ears. Still furthcM' north is Camj)"?, 
or r'hapin's Ore Bed. This ore is found in coiisidei-al)le quantities, Itut 
is so impregnated with manganese, as to be little used. In the extreme 
southwest coi'uer of the town is the Bradley Ore lied. On the Sharon 
side of the town line, ore in consideral)le <iuantities is taken from this 
mine. The ore from our mines yields from forty to forty-fiv(^ per cent, 
ol' iron. The ore is of the brown Hematite variety. 

Cop])eras, or sulphate of iron, has been found on Bai'ackmatiiV Hill, 
and at a place called Samuel Moore's mine, on Sugar Hill. 

F(n- many years Salisbury had the reputation of att'ording a successful 
field for gentlemen of tlie legal pi'ofession. This was not the result of 
a litigious spirit in the people, nor (jf any unusual propensity of the 
lawyers ; but rather, of the actiye and business-like enterprise of the 
poj)ulation. The first lawy^er who settliMl here was Jabez Swift, Esq., a 
native of Kent. He built the stone house on Town Hill. Upon the 
breaking out of the War of the Revolution he joined the ai-my in Boston, 
and there died. The late Adonijah Strong, Estj., was a pupil of Mr. 
SfV'ift, and succeeded him in [)ractice. ('(donel Strong was a man of 
vigorous mind, had a large practice, l»ut ])oss(!ssed none of the graces 



40 

of eloquence. For many years he was an efficient magistrate, and a 
member of tiie General Assembly. lie diefl in February, 181.3. 

Josepli Cantield, Esq. commenced his professional studies with Col- 
onel Strong, and finished them at the Litchfield Law School. He com- 
menced his practice at Furnace Village, about the year 1789. Mr. Can- 
field was a gentleman of graceful manners and good talents ; he died in 
September, 180o, ha\-ing been several times a member of the Assembly. 

(Jen. Elisha Sterling was a, graduate of Yale College, and a member 
of tlie LaAV School, at Litclifield. lie commenced his professional life 
in this town, in ITiU ; and he prosecuted his profession with great indus- 
try and success, until the year 188(J ; when he retired to his farm at 
Furnace Village, where he died Dec. 3d, 1836. General Sterling was a 
well-read lawyer, and possessed a discriminating mind. Twice he rej)- 
resented the seventeenth Senatorial district in the Senate of this St<i,te ; 
and for several j'ears rein-esented this town in the General Assembly. 
lie was many yeai's a magistrate, nine years a Judge of Proljate for the 
district of Sharon, and for a considerable period State's Attorney for this 
county. The name of no other citizen appears more frequently upon 
oiu- town and society records than his. 

Hon. ]\Iartin Strong was the eldest son of Col. Adonijah Strong. He 
commenced the practice of law here in 1801. _ Several years before his 
death, he exchanged the legal profession for agricultural pursuits. 
.Judge Strong was for many years one of our most active magistrates, 
and an Associate Judge of the County Court. He had been a member 
of both branches of our Legislature. Besides the gentlemen now in 
practice here,* there have been several lawyers who commenced l)usi- 
ness in this toAvn, and subsequently removed to other places; among 
whom were Chauncey Lee, ]\Iyron Holley, Hon. Ansel Sterling, Ezra 
Jewell, .lohn ]\I. Sterling, Edward Rockwell, Churchill Coffing, and 
Norton J. Buell. 

In the department of medicine, we have I'etained the services of many 
valuable men, from the beginning. Our first physician was Dr. Solo- 
mon Williams, who, as J suppose, emigrated from Lebanon, as did many 
other of oiu" most conspicuous men. He died in the year 1757, and in 
the same year was succeeded by Dr. .Joshua Porter, from the same place. 
Dr. Porter graduated at Yale College, in 17;')1. His place of residence 
was at Fnrnace Village, on the farm originally occupied by Cornelius 
Knickerliacor. P'or half a century his professional practice was very 
extensive, and lie was estcnmied as one of the most skillful physicians of 
his day. But liis profession did not engi'oss his whole attention. He 
was nnicli in public life, both civil and military. For twenty years he 



*Tlie8e are Philamlcr Wheeler, .lohu a. Mitcliell, .Johu H. Hnl)l)aril, and Kt)ger Averill. 
KBtjiiires. 



41 

was a Selectman ; a Justice of the I'(':ic-e thivty-five years ; and Associate 
Judge of the County Court thirteen years ; Chief .Fusticc of the 
same Court sixteen years ; Judge of Probate for the district of Sharon 
thirty-seven years. In the year 17G4, he was first elected a member of 
Ihe Assembly, und was a nieml)er of that body fifty-one stated sessions! 

Col. Porter was not attached to tlie Continental Army in the Revolu- 
tionary War, but was an efficient Militia Oflicer. As a Colonel of Mili- 
tia, he was in service with his Regiment, at Peekskill, and again at 
Saratoga, at the capture of Burgoyne. The descendants of Col. Porter 
were, and are still numerous, and many of them not only highly respect- 
able, but distinguished. This venerable and much esteemed gentleman 
died on the 2d day of April, 1825, aged ninety-five years. 

Dr. Lemuel Wheeler commenced practice here abotit the year 1765. 
lie too, was a public man, and several times a member of the General 
Assembly. 

Dr. Samuel Cowdray settled near Chapiuville, or Camp's forge ; sub- 
se(|uently, he was attached to the navy of the United States. He was a 
sm-geon on board of the unfortunate frigate Philadelphia, when that ves- 
sel was captured by the Barbary pirates, and he was a long time de- 
tained as a slave, in Tripoli, and imtil reclaimed by his government. 

Our other phjsicians, besides the medical gentlemen now in practice,* 
have been Drs. Jonathan Fitch, Darius Stoddard, John Johnston, Wil- 
liam Wheeler, Samuel Lee, William Walton, the elder, William Walton, 
2d, rFohn P. Walton, Samuel Rockwell, Joshiia Porter, Jr., James R.. 
Dodge, A1>iram Peet, Benajah Ticknor, now of the United States Navy, 
Perry Pratt, ,Iohn J. Catlin, Caleb Tickor, and ]\Ioses A. J^ee. 

The geograpjiical features of the town, truly indicate a healthful cli- 
nidXc. For the last twenty years, the annual average number of deaths 
has l)cen from thirty to thirty-five, or abt)ut one and a half per cent, of 
our po2)ulation. Yet, in common Avith most other healthful localities, 
wc have been occasionally visited with fatal pestilence. About the year 
17S4, a fever of uncommon mortality raged in the north part of the 
town, and in the vicinity of the ponds; called then the pond fever, and 
siii)posed to have been produced ))y the unusual accunuilation of water 
in the ponds. Many names, before fi-equent and prominent upon our 
civil and ecclesiastical records, ceased thereafter to be any more seen. 
Again, in the years 1812 and 1813, a fever, called from its general pre- 
valence. The Epidemic, swept over this and some neighboring towns, 
witli fearful mortality, uncontrolled 1)}' medical skill. During the lirst 
of these years thei-(^ were about eighty deaths, and in the latter, nearly 
seventy, and cliiefiy from that disease. Indeed, all other maladies seem 



*These are Asahel Humphrey, Henry Fish, Luther TicJaior, Ovid Phimb, and William J, 
Barry. 

6 



42 

to have fled Vjefore it, and to have given place, that it inig^ht raj^e and 
conquer alone. It was the Pneumonia Tj-phoides of the P>ooks, or a 
Typhoid Pleurisy. 

In connection with the professional gentlemen who have been our in- 
habitants, I ought not to omit the name of the late Samuel Mooi-e. lb- 
was the first of our inhabitants who practiced the science of land survey- 
ing, and was the eldest son of the first emigrant here, of that name — 
Sergeant Samuel Moore. He was a distinguished m;ithematician of his 
time, and was the author (jf a ^•aluabl(^ and extensively circulated treat- 
ise ujion surveying, which I believe was the first American work on that 
brajich of mathematical science. He died in the year 1810, aged seven- 
ty-three years. Other gentlemen, who have exercised the same profes- 
sion in this town, liave been Stephi>n Reed. Daniel Reed, and William 
P. Russell. 

I have spoken, especially, of professional men ; — this has not been 
done invidiously. No man respects the mechanic and agriculturist more 
highly than I do ; Init m}- leisiire Avill not permit me to speak of th^m 
individually, on this occasion, as many of them deserve. But there 
have been those among us, who were self-made men, in the various oc- 
cupations of life. They deserve a place in our memories and esteem. 
By self-made men, I mean such as, by patient endurance, have overcome 
the adverse and dejjressing influences of native penury, and, by Hacs of 
industry and integrit}', have adA'anced themselves and their families to 
competence and respectability. Among these were Adonijah Sti'ong, 
Timothy Chittenden, Peter Farnam, Jonathan Scoville, Thomas Ball, 
Nathaniel Church, Gideon Bushnell, and Luther Ilolley. I could name* 
many others. 'I'o Mr. Holley I refer as an example well wox'thy of more 
general imitation. He commenced his trial of life, with no other estate 
than his axe, with which he w^as seeking emplojanent in the collei'ies of 
Cornwall, when he was, fortunately as we suppose, diverted from his 
purpose, by the persuasion of Lot Norton, Esq. 1 cannot s^ieak of ]\Ir. 
Holley's progress from poverty and ol)Scnrity to wealth and prominence. 
He was a. working man through life ; but he was no slave. He was a 
choice |iat(('i'ii ol" a New Kiigland farnicr. Industry conildned witii 
Icisui'c — the labor of tlie body associated witii tlic labor of th(^ mind. 
Luther llollcy's life was a visible refutation of the too common opinion, 
that the necessaiT toil of the laboring man, in this country, is inc-oiisis- 
tent with an independent si)irit, and high mental cultivation. Vou per- 
cci\ c, I speak here only of the dead. \\'cre this a ])i-()])cr occasion. I 
siioiild love to allud(^ to the living also. 

It is a Just occasion of pfidc, in any conununity, that it has s<'m1 I'oilh 
from it»'^ ninnbcrs, ti) otlicr regions, men of eniineiiee and usefulness; 
■•ukI ])erhaj»s this town, i-ctire(l and obseui'c :is it is, lias fiu'nished other 



43 

seotioiis of our confederiun' itt< lull proportion of ilistinguishcd nipn. 
lion. Thomas Chittenden, though :i n;itive of Guilfoi'd. was, for many 
yeai'S, one of our own men, and reprl'S(^nted this town, many times, in 
the General Assembly. lie emigrated from us to Vermont, l)efore the 
War of the Revolution, and was (jovernor of that State for many years. 
He built and resided in the brick house lately owned by tlie IJrewster 
family. His son, Hon. Martin Chittenden, also Gov'ei-nor oi' Vermont, 
and a member of Congress from that State, was born here. 

Col. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, resided in this town some 
years before his emigration to Vermont, and was one ol' tlie original 
proprietors of the old furnace. 

Hon. Jojias (ialusha was oin; of our citizens. He was the son of 
Jacob Galusha, who removed from Norwich to this town, in 1771, and 
settled on the north side of the north pond. Jonas Galusha, for several 
years, was a very popular (iiivtM-nor of Vermont. 

Hon. Nathaniel Chipman, late Chief Justice of the State of Vermont, 
and a distinguished member of the Senate of the Inited States, was 
born and educated here, lie was the son of Samuel C^hipman, who for- 
merly occupied the dwelling house and farm on Town Hill, now owneil 
by Mr. Reuben Chapman. This venerable and distinguisluul gentleman, 
as we hope, still survives, at the age of eighty-nine years. 

Hon. D.-uiiel Chipman, youngest lirother of Judge Cliipman, and foi- 
many years one of the most pi'ominent nuunbers of the Vermont Uar, 
also a native of this town, still lixes, at the age of sevent}'-six. 

Hon. Ambrose Spencer, late Chiiif Justice of the State of New York, 
was b<n-n here on the loth December, 17(;;J. He was the son of I'hilip 
Spencer, Esq., whose place of residence was near the western extremity 
of the town. The character of Judge Spencer is extensively known, as 
one of the most accomplished members of the judiciary department of 
the State of New York, and will l.)e per])etuated without any aid from 
me. This gentleman still survives, and resiiles in Lyons, in the State 
of New York. 

(Jen. Teter L>. Porter, now of Niagara. Falls, is the youngest son of 
C!ol. Joshua Torter. Soon after he completed his collegiate and profes- 
sional stutlies, he, together with his elder brother, Hon. Augustus Torter, 
emigrated to the county of Ontaric^, in the State of New York. Gen. 
Porter was a member of ( \)]igress, and very early laid before that body 
the gi-eat national imijortancc of the Erie C^anal. In the late war with 
England, he took a consj^icuous part, as commander of the New York 
volunteers, upon the northern frontier. He was actively engaged 
against the enemy, at the celebrated sortie from Fort F^rie, and other 
important occasions. During a part of the administration of John Q. 
Adams, as President of the United States, Gen. Porter \va^ Secretary of 
War. 



44 

Hon. Augustus Poi-tev, isocond son of Colonel Porter, equally useful 
and respected in ciyil life, still survives — tlie tatlicr of a liiglily distin- 
guished family. 

Hon. Josiali S. Johnston, late of Louisiana, and a nmeh valued mem- 
ber of the Senate of the United States, was the son of Dr. .Fohn John- 
ston, of this town. He removed, when a child, with his father to Ken- 
tuckej. He fell a victim to a fatal explosion of a steamboat, on the 
Mississippi river, a few years ago. 

Among the members of Congi*ess from other States, who were born oi- 
reared in this town, the names of Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio, and 
Hon. Graham H. Chapin, Charles Johnston, and Theron R. Strong, of 
New York, are now recollected. 

Rev. Horace Holley, D. D., a distinguished scholar and eloquent di- 
vine. President of tlae Transylvania University, was the son of the late 
Luther Holley. 

Rev. Isaac Bird, a devoted Missionary in Asia, a descendant of Joseph 
Bird, Esq., one of our earliest settlers and first magisti'ates, was born 
and educated here. 

JMyron Holly and Orville L. Holley, Esquires, sons of the late Luther 
Holley, distinguished as scholars and gentlemen, and by various respon- 
sible employments in public life, were nurtured and eilucated, if not 
born among us. 

I ought not here to omit the name of Chester Averill, late Professor 
of Chemistry in Union College, who died in 1836, jvist as he began to 
give certain promise of extensive usefulness and high literary distinc- 
tion. He was the son of Mr. Nathaniel P. Averill, of this town. 

Li connection with the names of professional gentlemen who have 
lived and died with us, and distinguished individuals who have removed 
from us, I refer to others, whom we and our fathers have honored with 
our eonlidence, as Representatives to the General Assembly of this State. 

As no Colony tax was assessed and collected of the people of this 
town, before the year 175G, so we were not, until that time, entitled to a 
representation in the Colony Legislature. Previously, however, the 
town, on special occasions, appointed and ]>aid special agents to the 
General Court. 

In 1743, Samuel Bellows was appointeil an agent to attend the Assem- 
bly, at its October session for that year, to get a land tax for the town. 

In the folknving October, Benajah Williams and Thomas Newcomb 
were appointed agents to get an explanation of the tax of the previous 
year. 

In January, 1745, Samuel Bellows was appointed an agent to procui-e 
a patent, or deed of confirmation, of the lauds in the town. 

In February, 1747, Thomas Chipman, Esq. was appointed an agent to 
procure a location of a site for the meeting house. 



45 



Tho followiao- is a Roll of tlio iiKMiilx'rs td' Asscniblv Iroui this town 



May Sesskin. 
ITST, John Kv»>rtg, Tliomas Chipman. 

1758, James Lamlnii, Johu Everts. 

1759, James Ijamlon, Samuel Moore. 

1760, Johu Everts, Jusiah Stotklanl. 

1761, JoUu Evorts, Josiati Stoddanl. 
176'^, John Everts, Josiah Stoildartl. 
176.S, Johu Everts, James Landou. 

1764, James Ijaudon, Amos Fuller. 

1765, Thos. Ohitteudeu, Jos lua Porter. 

1766, ThoB. <lhittenden, Joshua Porter, 

1767, Thos. Oliitteuden, Joshua I'orter. 

1768, Thos. Oliitteuden, Joshua Porter. 

1769, Thos. Cliitteudeu. Joshua Porter. 

1770, Joshua Porter, James Laudou. 

1771, Joshua Porter. 

1772, Thomas Chitteiideu, Johu Everts. 

1773, Joshua Porter, James Landou, 
1771, Joshua Porter, James Laudou. 

1775, Joshua Porter, Abial Cami), 

1776, Abial t,'amp, Joshua Porter. 
177". .loshua Porter. 

1778, Joshua Porter, Hezekiah Fit<-h, 

1779, Timo, Chitteudeu, Joshua Stautuu, 

1780, Joshua Porter, Hezekiah Fitch, 

1781, JoHUua PM'ter, Abial Camp. 

1782, Joshua Porter, Elislia Fitch. 
178ii, Hezekiah I'itch, Elisha Fitch. 

1754, Lot Nortou, Hezekiah Fiteii. 

1755, Hezekiali Fitch, Joshua Porter, 

1786, Elisha litch, Lot Nortou. 

1787, Elisha Fitch. 

1T8&, Lemuel Wheeler, Hezekiah I'itch. 

1789, Lemuel Wheeler, Atlouijah Strouy. 

1790, Hezekiah litch, Josiiua Porter. 

1791, lle/.ekiaii Fitch, Joshua Porter. 
179'j, Hezekiah Fitch, JosLiua Porter. 
179y, Hezekiah Fitc-ii, Adoiiijah Stroug. 

1794, Joshua Porter, Havid NS'atermaii. 

1795, Hezekiah litch. Josliua I'orter. 

1796, Jushua Porter, .^dimi.iah Strout;. 

1797, .loshua Porter, Samuel Lee. 

1798, .loshua I'orter, Joseph Cauiield, Jr. 

1799, Joshua Porter, Joseph Cautield, -fr. 
ISOO, Samuel Lee, Jereiuiah Uauchj-. 
I'-iOi, Joshua Porter, Jeremiah Dauchy. 

1802, Jeremiah Dauchy, Nath'l Churcli, 

1803, 'V. Ciiitteuileu, Ji., Phiuoas Olunjiu. 
180i, Phiueas Chapin, Elisha Sterling, 

1805, James Johustou, Jeremiali Dauchy. 

1806, Phiueas Chapin, Stephen Heed. 

1807, Phiueas Ghapiu, Nathaniel Everts. 
I80S, Elisha SterliuR, Lot Nortou, Jr. 

1809, l^ot Norton, Jr., Phiueas Ohai^iu. 

1810, Silas Moore, Peter Farnam, 

1811, Luther HoUey, Lot Nortou, 

1812, Timothy Chittendeu, Peter Faruam. 

1813, Peter Farnum, Lot Nortou, 

1814, Lot Nortou, Eliphalet Whittlese.-. 
1815' Elisha Sterling, Johu C. Comug', 

1816, Elisha Stertiug, Jouathau Scoville, 

1817, Daniel Joauston, Abijah C. Peet. 

1818, Daniel Johnston, Abijah C, Peet. 
1S19, Daniel Johuston, Abijah C. Peet. 

1820, Silas Reed, Samuel Church, 

1821, .Samuel Church, Newman HoUey. 

1822, Martiu Stroug, Thomas N, Smith. 

1823, Samuel Church, Parley Hubbard. 
1324, Samuel Church, Parley llubbar.l. 
1825, Seneea Pettee, Newman HoUey, 
1S2G, Silas Heed, Newmau Holley. 

1827, Newnan Holley, Kohert Ball. 

1828, Phiueas Cliapiu, Thomas N. 8mith. 



OtnoBER Session, 
John Everts, Josiah Stoildard. 
Josiah Stoddard, -hihn Hutcliiuson. 
Josiah Stoddard, Samuel Moore. 
John Everts, 

Johu Everts, Timothy Browusou. 
Jolin Everts. 

Johu Everts, .rames Landou. 
Thomas Chittenden, Joshua Porter. 
James Ijaudou, Samuel Moore. 
Thomas Chittendeu, Joshua Porter. 
Thomas (Ihitteiideu, Joshua Porter. 
Thomas Cliilteudeu, James Bird. 
Thi>mas Chittendeu, Joshua Porter, 
.loshua Porter, James Laudon. 
Tliouias Chittenden, .lohu Everts. 
Joshua Porter, James Laudou, 
Joshua Porter, James Laudou. 
Joshua Porter, Hezekiah Fitcli. 
Abial Camp, James Bird. 
Joshua Porter, .\bial Camp. 
Joshua Porter, Abial Caiup. 
Joshua Porter. Hezekiah Fitch. 
Timothy Chitteudeu, Hezekiah litch, 
Joshua Porter, .\bial Camp. 
Joshua Porter, Hezekiah Fiti'h. 
Joshua Pt>rter, He/.ekiah Fitch, 
Joshua Stanton, Lot Nortou. 
Joshua Piirter, Hezekiah Fitch, 
Hezekiah Fitch, Joshua Pfirter, 
EUsha Fitch, Lemuel Wiieeler, 
Lemuel Wheeler, Hezekiah Fitcli, 
Lemuel Wheeler, Samuel Lee. 
Hezekia'i Fiti-h, Lemuel Wheeler. 
Hezekiah Fit<h. Josiiiui Porter, 
Adonijah Stroug, Sauiuel Lee. 
Adonijali Stroug, Samuel Lee, 
Hezekiah I'itch, Adonijah Stroug. 
Hezekiah Fitch, Joshua Porlei'. 
Joshua Porter, Samuel j,ee. 
Jt>shua Port(:r, Samuel Lee, 
Joshua Porter, Elisha Sterling, 
•loshua I'orter, Joseph Cauiield, Jr, 
Joshua Porter, J .seph (Cauiield, Jr. 
David Waterman, Jeremiah Dauchy. 
.Joshua Porter, .Samuel Lee, 
Atlonijah Str<mg, Nathaniel Church. 
Timo. Chitteu.ien. Jr,. .Phiueas Chajiiu. 
.John Whittle.se\, Lot Nortou. Jr, ■ 
riniothy Chitteudeu. Jr., Phiueas Chapin, 
Steijhen l{eed, Samuel l,ee. 
Nathaniel Everts, Sauiuel Lee, 
Lot Norton, Jr., Peter Farnam. 
Lot Nortou, Jr., Samuel Lee. 
Lot Nortou, Silas .Vtoore, 
Luther Hollev, Lot Nortou, 
Lot Nortim, Luther Holl.^y. 
Martin Strong. Eliphalet Whittlesey, 
Elisha Sterling, Lot Nortou. 
Elisha r-itorliug, Lot Nortou. 
Elisha Sterliug, Jonatlian Scoville. 
Dan Johnston, .\bijah C, Peet. 
Silas Keed, .\le\au ler Lamb. 



46 

May Session. 
18'2y, iSamuel Church. Kobert Ball. 
1830, Abi.iiih C. I'eet, Javeii S. HarriHon. 
ISHl, Samuel Church, Lot Norton. 
18ii2, Jareil S. Harrimiu, Luthur Ti<ku<ir. 
18.S3, Luther Tickuor, Nath'l Beueilict, Jr. 
1834, Nath'l Beucaict, Jr., Freil'k riuuil). 
183."), Jarcil s. Harrison, Fred'k A. Waltou. 
183G, Frcdt-riik A. Waltou, John Eu.sigu. 
183T, John KusiKU, Wiaiam P. KuhbcU. 
1838, Nathaniel Benedict, John Hussell, Jr. 
183y, \Vm. 11. Waltou, Xlios. B. Boswurth. 

1840, Thos. B. Boswortii. Nehemiali Clark. 

1841, No choice. 

'I'lie lollowiiig gciitlemcii have ollk-iatfd as inagislraU?s of lh«^ town: 
Thoma.s C'hipiuau, Joseph Jiml, James Laiuloii,^ John Hutehhison, 
'lliouias Cihitteiiden, Abial C^ainp, Elisha Fileli, Josiiua I'orter, Lot Nor- 
ton, Adoiiijah Stn)no-, Samuel Lee, John Whittlesey, J^ot iSiorton, Jr., 
Elisha .Sterling, riiiueas Chapiu, John M. HoUey, Eliphalet Whittlestjy, 
Martin Strong, Samuel Church, Seneca i'ettee, i'hilaiulei- Wheehir, John 
G. Mitchell, Newman Ih^Uey, Abijah C. Peet, Abial (Jhapin, John IL 
Hubbard, Albert Moore, William 1*. Itussell, William C Sterling, Na- 
thaniel Benedict, Samuel C Sco\ ille, l^ot Norton, ;jd, Elisha i^ee, Koger 
Averill, Timothy Chittenden. 

The members of the State Convention, in 1818, for forming a con.stitu- 
tion of civil government for this State, were Daniel Johnston an<l Sam- 
uel Church. These delegates advocated the adoption of the constitu- 
tion, in the C^cnn ention ; and the question of its adoption, at a meeting 
of our electors, in October, 1.S18, was t-arricd by an aflirmative luajority 
of eighty-three votes. 

In the late war with England, of 181:^, several n(m-coniniissi(;ned otii- 
cers and privates enlisteil from this town, but few of whom ever re- 
turned ; although it is not known that more than one of them was slain 
in battle. John O'Kaiu was killed in the battle of Jirillge water. It is 
said of him, that while lying upon the ground, after receiving his mortal 
wound, he twice dischargetl his musket at the enemy. 

In a review of the progress of our town from its infanc_) imtil the 
present time, it is impossible to repel the recollection of its political 
eoiuUtion in reference to the agitating questions, which, for the last half 
century, have disturbed the peace and social condition (^f the country, i 
have no ilisjiosition on this occasion, to say more on this subject, than to 
remark, that we have not been exempt from these di-sturbing t;ausi\s. 
Tarty has found here a theatre of action, as well as elsewhere, ami has 
been productive of the same demoralizing results. 1 feel some compla- 
cency, if not pride, however, in being able to say, that during the hrst 
conflict of parties, the spirit of political proscription found no plac-e for 
its exercise here. Eor a period of lifteen years from the adoption ol uur 
State Constitution in 1818, 1 do not recH)llect that a matiistrate of the 



47 

town was displaced Innii office by reason of liis party attachmentH. Bnt 
here I must stoji. Since that time, a different disposition has entered, 
and civil odicers of great worth have been m;i,de to yield to |)arty ch'nnn- 
ciation. This has been the e(|ual fault, yes, tlie unjustified crime of botli 
parties ! 

This is not the tinn' nor the proper occasion to indulge in iiolitical re- 
llections. Hut I cannot discharge a duty wlu'cli I owe to the young men 
of my nati\ f place — the persons witJi whom, in part, the destinies of 
this country ai'e soon to be entrusted, without entreating them to divest 
themselves of jiarty and political prejudices. What is prejudice but an 
o[»inion formed without impartial examination? This is a crime, and 
inexcusable in this age and country. ]\Iy young friends, never be afraid 
of bringing preconceived opinions to the test of a patient and disinter- 
ested in(iuiry ! 

There have been traditionary accounts of Events witliin our borders, 
which might merit perpetuity, if the evidence of authenticity would war- 
rant it. Such as have not come down to us accompanied with satisfac- 
tory proof, I shall pass ovei* without a notice. Mr. Crossman, in his 
sermon beftu'e alluded to, relates the circumstances of the defeat of a 
large body of Indians, in the northeasterly section of the town, before 
its settlement by the white jjeople. In that narrative, I sujipose there 
is an intermingling of fact with fiction. The best authenticated account 
of that affair, warrants me in saying, that in the year l(i7G, and just be- 
fore the deatli of King Philip, I\[ajor Talcott, of the Connecticut forces, 
l)ursued from AVcstfield, towards Albany, a Hyiug body of Indians, wlio, 
after discomfiture in rhilii)\s wai', were seeking safety among the Mo- 
hawks. Tliese Indians, under the direction of the Sachem of Winni- 
missett, or Brookfield, were overtaken, lying securely on the western 
bank of the Ilousatonic river, at the fording place, about one mile south 
of tiie State line, near William Sardam's present residence. They were 
surprised just before the dawn of day, and about fiftj- of their nunil)er. 
including their Sachem, were either killed or taken.* 

An incident worthy of relation occurred at tlie (jri^at Falls of tlic 
IIousat<)ni(% in tlie spring freshet of bs;57. Two of the men employed 
by ]\Ir. Ames, at his irtni works, attempted to cross the I'lver in a^ boat; 
sucli \vas tlie force of the current, that they were preci])itated over tlu' 
cataract. One of them, David O'Neal, an Irisli laborer, was kilhid; the 
other, Walter Holley, almost miraculously escaped, with little injury. 

The late Dr. Dwight, in one of his volumer, speaks of tlie moving- 
rocks in the Noj-th, or Washining pond, in tliistown. 'I'hcre are several 
rocks, and oiuf of considerable size, near the southern margin of that 
pond, whicli appear to liave been propelled by some powerful force 



Vol. 1, Trum. HJB. Cou. 365. Dwigut'e Hie. Cou. 190. 



48 

towards the shore, leaving deep trenches or gutters behind, and accii- 
niuhiting mud and gravel l)efore them. Such appearances alone would 
not persuade me, uncorroborated l\v the credible testimony of observers, 
that these rocks had changed position. But I am compelled to yield my 
assent uj)on evidence of the actual observation of men of i-esi5ectability, 
whose means of knowledge have been accurate. I am not sm-e thai 
these arc unusual phenomena. And, perhaps, tliey are the result of the 
immense pi-(>ssurc of the ice upon the rocks, connected with what may 
be tlie peculiar state of tlie earth, or bottom upon whicli they rest. 

Our ancestors were vare ver}- little acijuainted with what we boastingly 
call the credit system,. They were men of thrift, and of sober, industri- 
ous habits. I do not find a single mortgage deed upon our records, 
until nine years after our incorporation ; nor any account of jjauper ex- 
penses before the year 1762. I do not infer from this, that we had no 
paupers l)efore that time; for the jjoor we always have with us. Before 
the 3^ear 1797, the poor charges had increased to such an extent as to in- 
duce the town to sacrifice its character for humanity, to its love of econ- 
omy, and to dispose of its paupers for suj^port, to the lowest bidder, a/ 
a public vendue; and thus give to cujjidity an easy opportunity of grati- 
fication, by literally grinding the face of the poor. This cruel system 
was soon abandoned ; but within a few years it was resorted to again. 
Our pauper expenses, from various causes, notwithstanding, increased 
until they amounted to an average sum of one thousand dollars yearly. 
A new system was resorted to. In tlie sjiring of 1829, the town jjur- 
chased of the late Simeon (Jrangcr, a farm with c-onvenient liuildings and 
utensils, and in that year established an .\sylimi for the maintenance of 
the poor. 

The farm consists of about two lumdred and thirty-six acres of land, 
mostly on the College grant. The piu'chase was made for lour thousand 
ruid fi\'c hundred dollars ; to raise which, a town stock was ci-eated, and 
sold in sliares of one hundi-ed dollars each, redeemable at dift'erent peri- 
o«ls. Only thirteen hundred and fifteen dollars of this stock now remain 
due. Tlie jiresent exjiensc of su|)portiiig the poor will average about 
four hundred and thirty dollars annually, inclusive of the intei'est of the 
unredeemed stock. Connected with tlie Asylum is a work house, for the 
punishment of small offenses. 

At this Asylum our jjaupers are sup2K)ited in a style of comfort and 
comijetence e(iual to that enjoyi'd liy the generality of our citizens. Tliis 
institution is deservedly a favorite of the town, and under liuinane and 
carclul nuuiagement, will continue to be, as it noAv is, a comfortable rest- 
ing ])lacc for our aged, iiitirm, and destitute friends, on their way to the 
grave ! The present number of paupers sujiported at the Asylum, is 
fourteen . 'i'he town ought not to forget the philanthroi)ic zeal and efibrts 



40 

ol' the late Elislui Sterling, Esq., and Mr. John C. Colliiio-, in the estab- 
lishment of this institution. 

In eonnection with poverty, it has not been unusual to speak of crime. 
They have no necessary comiection, however. And \vh(>n thc^y have been 
associated, the common cause of both has been intemperance. A Tem- 
perance Society was formed here ten years ago, and })roduce(l salutary 
effects upon the habits of our peoi^le. Formerly, the commission of petty 
offenses, such as batteries, breaches of the peace, &c., were very fre- 
(]uent; but within the last ten years, have very sensibly diminished, so 
that we seldom hear of a prosecution for these delinquencies. There 
have been two indictments found against our citizens, for the crime of 
murder, both of which resulted in ac(]uittals. One against the colored 
slave or servant of Col. Blagden, for killing the slave of Col. Sheldon, 
soon after the Revolutionary War ; and one against Jacob Vandusen, for 
poisoning his wife with arsenic, in the year 1817. 

The progress of the temperance reformation, within tJie last thi-ee 
years, has received a check among us, from which I fear it will not soon 
recover, without sincere, as well as united efforts in its favor. 

Since Rev. Mr. Ci'ossman's account of our i^ublic cemeteries was pub- 
lished, but one burying place has been located — the new burying yard, 
north of the center village. This was purchased, and the south half of 
it laitl into lots, in the year 1830. Deacon Mjdo Lee was the tirst person 
buried in it. A map of this burying place is lodged in the Town Clerk's 
oliice. 

An allusion to the geographical peculiarities <jf the town is not irrele- 
vant to its history. To us, who live amidst, and arc constantly looking 
out upon our surrounding scenery, it is familiar and common-place ; but 
to our emigrant friends, to whom these objects were once endeared, the 
mention of them may revive recollections and associations of deep and 
grateful interest. 

A distinguished clerical gentleman, who had passed several years in 
the south of Europe, said to me, that the landscape scenery of Salisbury 
surpassed, in beauty and variety, any thing he had witnessed abroad. 

Brace mountain, the westernmost summit of Toceonuc, frequently in- 
vites the visits of strangers. From this elevation, in a day of sunshine, 
the counties of Dutchess and Columbia, in the State of New York, as far 
as the vision can extend, appear spread down before the observer ; while, 
in the westerii distance, the lofty Catskill, with its mountain-house dis- 
tinctly visible, rises ujj to arrest the sight. 

The traveler, as he approaches us from the south, and as he commences 

his descent from Town Hill, frequently stops to gaze upt)n the prospect 

which opens to his view. From the most elevated points of Smith's and 

Brinton's hills, too, and where the public roads pass over them, the land- 

7 



50 

s(;a|)e.s are <^)f peculiar beauty. Indeed, the j)eneil of the artist can lie 
fni-iii,shed with as many and as splendid subjects of employment, amonij 
the hills and waters of Salisbury, as c-ui l)e found even in the far-famed 
anil more fashionable highland scenery of the Hudson river! 

Our streams and our lakes are not without their attractions, especially 
to the disciples of good Isaak Walton. The former are well stored with 
the sjjeckled trout, and the pickerel and the perch abound in the latter. 
But it is not every vain and uninspired knight of the hook and line, who 
can lure our cumiing fish to his bait! The pickerel Avas not originally 
found here, but was transplanted from Bantam t)ond, in Litchlield, about 
the year 1812. 

Such has been the even tenor of our way, since the events of the Rev- 
olution and the settlement of our national government, that the history 
of one year tells the story of the succeeding one, from year* to year, with 
little to diversify. 

Our fathers have been passing away with the passing current. We 
look around, and wonder where are the old men, and our contemporaries 
of other days. Either the burying places in our midst, or other regions 
of our country, contain nearly all of them. There are now surviving, 
over the age of sixty years, and present inhabitants of the town, <jnly 
about tifteen native born male citizens. 

The i)rogress of change has been gradual, anil 3'ct it has been almost 
radical. We can note it only by comparing what is, with what has been. 
In nothing, jierhaps, has there been*a greater change, from olden to the 
present time, than in the facilities of travel and intercourse. The early 
settlers had no carriages for the conveyance of persons. For many 
years the state of the roads would not jjermit their use. The horse sup- 
plied the place of traveling carriages. The ox call in summer, and the 
ox sled in winter, were the only vehicles used. The horse was early 
trained to carry double, and this qualification was essential in the esti- 
mation of all i)urchasers ; and a false warranty in this respect, was a 
freijuent cause of litigation. In order to use the horse for double riding, 
a pillion was a notable and necessary accompaniment. This was always 
furnished by the ladies, as it was intended for their exclusive accommo- 
dation, and they frequently displayed much taste in its fashion and orna- 
ment. Thus provided, the good man and his wife, w-ith perhaps the 
youngest child, were sure to be found at meeting on the Sabbath. And 
in this way too, the lads and lasses, defying, with their sure footed beast, 
the roughest roads and darkest nights, attended the quilting and the 
danci' ! 

In the amusements of former days, there was nothing of etfcminacy. 
Pei'liaps our amusements are more intellectual, if by this be meant an 
indulgence in all the frivolous literary dissi2)ation of the jiresent day. 



51 

The wrestling match, among the young men, was univei'sal, and the 
leader of the ring was esteemed of some consequence. The apple-pear- 
ing, the quilting, and the ball, afVin-dcd the yotnig of hotli sexes (In^ir 
most fr(M][uent social amusements. 

Artificial distinctions in society, particularly in Wu' femal<- hi-andi of 
it, were hardly visible fifty years ago. 

" Wlien Adam delved aud Eve span, 
Where was then the gentleman?" 

1 would not insinuate that the females of this age are less industrious 
than their mothers of a former one ; but it is very certain that tluiir in- 
dustry is less healthful and productive. The neatly sanded floor has 
given place to the carpet ; and the wheel, the distaff, and the loom, are 
viewed now, rather as antique curiosities, than as things of use. 15ut, 
after all, this is rather a misfortune than a fault — a misfortune produced 
by wliat is called, falsely I think, the im^jroving progress of society. 

Our ancestors, here and elsewhere, had no respect for Indian charac- 
ter, and seemed to desire, with the extinction of the race, to extinguish 
all memox'ials of its existence. In nearly all instances, Indian names of 
l)rominent objects were discarded, and others adopted, frequently vulgar 
and without meaning. Indian names were always significant; l)nt in 
almost every instance tlieir meaning is lost to us. 

Ilousatonuc, is said to signify, Over the Mountains, or the llivcn* of 
the Hills. 

The Furnace Pond, as you know, was called, by the aborigines, 
Wonunscopomuc ; and this name is retained, with various spellings, in 
man}' of the early conveyances. 

The two ponds at the north ^^^n't of the town, described in the old 
records as lying " very neai'ly close together," were called Washinee 
and Washining. 

The Long Pond at the southwest part of the town, the Indians called 
Wononpakook ; and the sti'eam flowing through our center village, 
they called Wachocastinook. The stream flowing from flie pond at 
Chapinsville, was called Succunops. 

The eastern range of hills, parallel with the Ilousatonuc, the Indians 
called Wotovvanchu. The steep mountain bluff, which extends itself al- 
most into our midst, has always retained its Dutch name of Parack- 
Matiff ; meaning, as I suppose, a steep and high hill. 

The range of high lands in the north-east part of the town, extending 
westerly from the Ilousatonuc river, is known to us as Tom's Hill. Put 
before any white people had settled here, and as early as 1717, fliat hill, 
from good authority, received the name of Mount Eschol, which it ought 
now to retain. The Commissioners of the C'olonies of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut, run a line between them, in September, 1717; aud, 



52 

after crossing over to the west bank of the Ilousatoniic, they saj^ " On 
the west bank w'e set up a stake and heap of stones, and j^roceeded two 
miles, which ends on a mountain we called Mount Eschol, fi-om the 
mighty clusters of grapes there growing." From that elevation, the 
Commissioners could overlook the intervening valley, and they discover- 
ed the long Avaterfall, as it descends from the top of Tocconuc, nearly 
along the State line, to the low grounds, and which the Commissioners 
saj-, "maybe seen for many miles distance, and which runs through a 
stony gutter, two hundred feet deep ! .'" 

The hill on the southwesterly quarter of the town is called Indian 
Mountain, from a very considerable village of Indians, which was once 
situated at its western margin. 

This is an appropriate occasion to refer to the names and character of 
some of the most useful and efficient of the early settlers of the town — 
the men by whose efforts our social foundations were laid. Curiosity 
prompts us to know what they were, and where they lived. In addition 
to those to whom allusion has been made, I speak of some others. 

Tliomas Newcomb resided here before the sale of the town, and was 
a large landholder and a prominent inhabitant. He presided in our first 
town meeting, and was the first Selectman chosen in the town. His 
place of residence was on the road leading from Lime Rock to Town 
Hill, and at or near the old Bradley tavern. 

Cyreims Newcomb, the first Town Clerk, I believe was the son of 
Thomas Newcomb. He resided on the farm lately owned by the late 
Samuel Lee, Esq. Both of these gentlemen, about the year 1747, re- 
moved from the town, to a place then known as Crom Elbow precinct, 
in the present town of Amenia, in the State of New York. 

The Chipman family was numei'ous and highly respectable. Thomas 
Chipman, the ancestor, and who was the first otHciating Justice of the 
Peace in the town, emigrated from Barnstable, Massachusetts, to Groton, 
in this State ; and from Groton he came here, in 174L He settled near 
Lamb's iron works, and was a proprietor in the saw mill and grist mill 
there. He erected the house now standing, which for many j-ears was 
the residence of the Johnston family. He was a member of the first 
Church oi-ganized here. He was appointed an associate Judge of this 
county, but died in the summer of 1752, at the age of sixty-five, before 
he entered upon the duties of the office. His sons were Thomas, John, 
Samuel, Amos, and Jonathan. Thomas, the eldest son, was one of the 
first elected members of Assembly. He died a batchelor, here, at an 
advanced age. John also died in this town. The other sons removed 
to Vermont, before the Revolution ; and I am not informed whether a 
single descendant of this family remains with us, The longcAity of this 
familj' is remarkable. Jonathan and Samuel died at the age of nine- 



one years. Jolin, the eldest son of John C'liipman, was a Captain hi tlie 
ai-my of the Revolution, and died at the age of eighty-six. Four sons 
of Samuel Chiijman died, successively, at the ages of seventy-five, 
seventy-six, seventy-seven, and seventy-eight. Hon. Natlianiel Cliip- 
nian, the eldest son of Samuel, now survives, at the age of eighty -nine ; 
and Daniel, the youngest son of Samuel, is living at the age of seventy- 
six. 

Capt. Samuel Beebe was the first Treasurer of the town. He emi- 
grated from Litehtield. Was a large landholder in the eastern part of 
the town. Tlie only descendant of this gentleman, now living among 
us, is Uavid Beebe. His homestead and place of residence was the fariu 
now owned by John Adam, near the Little Falls of the Housatonuc. 

Benajah Williams was a Selectman in 174:3 ; he removed from Goslien 
here in 1742, and settled near the Furnace Pond, and was one of the 
first eleven lueml^ers of the Church. The Tieknor family, by a female 
branch, are descendants of this gentleman. 

John Smitli was one of the first elected Selectmen, and a gentleman 
of considerable estate and resjjectaljility. His place of residence is not 
known by me. He removed from the town, and settled at Beekmanls 
Patent, in the Province of New York, al)out the year 174G. 

Thomas Austin, the first constable of the town, was a bloomer at 
Lamb's iron woi'ks, and resided in that neigliljorhood, and I believe, 
was an ancestor of the late Hon. Aaron Austin, of New Harttbrd. 

Nathaniel Skinner was a Selectman in 1743, and one of the first mem- 
bers of the Church. He was the son of Nathaniel Skinner, Esq., of 
Sharon. He owned the tarm on the side of the mountain, about one 
mile and a half northwest of the meeting house, and since ownetl b}' 
Reuben Cliapin. His daughter Rel)ecca, the widow of JMoore Bird, was 
the wife of Ca2)t. Timothy Chittenden. 

Deacon John Hutchinson came here from Lebanon, in 1743, and set- 
tled on the farm lately owned by the Brinsmaid family. He soon after- 
wards removed to a farm at the westerly foot of Barack-IMatifi:" Hill, 
where his son, Mr. Asa Hutchison, and his grandson, Myron Hutchinson, 
have ever since resided. He was, for several 3oars, one of the Justices 
of the Peace in the town. He was the third Town Clerk, and was 
elected in 1747, and held the office thirty-one years, and was succeeded 
in the office by his son, Asa Hutchinson, who held the same office thirty- 
eight years. Deacon Hutchinson was one of the first deacons of the 
Church here. 

Josiah Stoddard emigrated from Litchfiehl in 1743, and settled on a 
farm on the south side of the Furnace Pond, where Harvej' D. AVarner 
now lives. He was our second Town Clerk, and for several 3"ears a 
member of the (}ener:il Assonb}'. He was the fatlier of Major Luther 



. 54 

Stoddard, of the Revolutionaiy Army, and ancestor of lion. Josiali J. 
Johnston, kite Senator of the United States from Louisiana. The eliil- 
dren of Judge Burrali, of Canaan, are lineal descendants ol' this re- 
spectable gentleman. 

Samuel Moore came originally from Southold, on Long Island, to 
Litchtield, and from thence to this town, in 1743. He settled at the foot 
of Barack-JMatitf, near deacon Hutchinson, whei'e his descendants now 
live. He was for many years Treasurer of the town ; and this office, 
with few interruptions, has been, and now is in a family of his descend- 
ants. 

The Landon family, in England, was located in Nottinghamshire, on 
the Welch border. That branch of it whicth settled here, came from 
Southold, on Long Island, to Litchheftl, and settled on the present iMarsh 
farm in that town, at the foot of the hill, about one half mile north of 
the village. James and Joha Landon, brothers, came to this town in 
1749. James settled in the south part of the town, near the small pond, 
called by ns the Beezlake Fond, and by the Indians, Non-Cook. He 
was one of the tirst magistrates in the town, and, for many years, a 
member of the General Assembly. His descendants were numerous, 
and among them still surviving, are our highly valued friend, ,Iohn K. 
Landon, Esq., of Litchlield, for many years Sheriii" of this county; and 
our venerable fellow townsman, Ashbill Landon. John Landon settled 
on Sugar Hill, in the east part of the town, He marrieil a grand- 
daughter of William White, the lirst settler. Mr. Kufus Landon is a 
descentlant oi' this branch of the family. 

The family of Camps, was an early ami respectable one. Deacon 
Hezekiah Camp, the ancestor, came from New Haven, now East Haven, 
in 1746. He erected the dwelling house still occupied by his descendants 
— the Ball family. This is the oldest inhabited house in the town. The 
sons of deacon Camp were Hezekiah, Abial, Luke, John, and Samuel. 
The family name here is extinct; but the descendants are numerous. 
The families of Ball, Lee, Chapin, Smith, are, in some of their branches, 
lineally descemled from tleacon Camp. 

The Chapin family, for many years, was numerous in this town anil 
highly respectable. The brothers, Charles and Reuben Chapin, emi- 
grated, I believe, from Entield, in 1740. Reuben occupied the farm ad- 
joining the Brinsmaid farm, before that time ownetl by Nathaniel Skin- 
ner. Charles settled under the mountain, north of and adjoining the 
L^'man farm. The late Bhineas Chapin, Esq., and his family, were lin- 
eally descended from Charles Chapin. 

Of the Binghams it was once said, that they and tiieir kindred consti- 
tuted half of the population in the northern section of the town. Jab(!Z, 
Silas, and Daniel Bingham came from \Vindham, in 1750. They were 



55 

llu- sons ol' J;il)t'/> l>ini;-liain. lorniei-lv ol' Lcliaiinu. Tlu'v wrrc at tirst 
l()i-ati'(l under tlic mountain, adjoinin<;- deacon Camp's. Daniel subse- 
quently settled upon the Washinee and AV'ashining- Lake's; or, as we 
sav, l)etAveen the ponds, where he died in the winter of ISOo. The late 
Calel) Bingham, of Boston, was his son. The Tieknor family and a 
branch of the INloore family are his lineal descendants. 

John, Nathaniel, and Sylvanus Everts, from Guilford, settled in the 
vicinity of the Furnace Pond, in 1749. John was our tirst representa- 
tive in the General Assembly. The; children of John Russell are de- 
scended from this gentleman. The descendants ot Nathaniel yet re- 
main, and in the occu])aney of the farm of their ancestor. Sylvanus 
married a sister of Gov. Thomas Chittenden, and removed to Vermont 
before the Revolution. 

Thomas Chittenden, the first Governor of Vermont, and Capt. Timo- 
thy Chittenden, sons of Ebenezer Chittenden, of Guilford, settled here 
in 1750. Timothy w^as the ancestor of the Chittendens, now remaining 
with us. 

Noah Strong was the ancestor of our Strong famil}-, once numerous 
her(\ Ijut now nearly gone from us. He removed fi-om Coventry, in 
17-1;7, and settled on Town Hill. 

-Joseph Bird, the ancestor of the families of that name here, removed 
from Liti-htield, in 17-lS. His descendants occupy the farm where he first 
hjcated himself, on the Avestern confines of the town. 

Lot Norton, 1st, was a native of Farmington, the son of Thomas 
Norton, one of the original proprietors of the town. He settled here 
early, and upon the farm Avhere his son, ray venerable and long re- 
spected friend, the moderator of this meeting, and his grandson, Lot 
Norton, ;3d, now reside. This gentleman was long a respectaljle magis- 
trate, and one of the most prominent of our early inhabitants. 

I intend, if future leisure shall jiermit, to collect materials for a more 
minute and circumstantial notice of all the most active inhabitants of 
the toAvn, from the beginning until this time. 

It is expected of a history of new settlements, tliat it be a story of 
privations, and dangers, and suffering. The early adventurers here, es- 
pecially those of English descent, experienced but little of such adversi- 
ties. AVhat we sujipose now to be the necessaries of life, they would 
have relished as its luxuries. Our position, between the old settlements 
on the Hudson and Connecticvit rivers, secured us from Indian incur- 
sions. The indispensable accommodations of the grist mill and the 
saw mill, where here, almost in advance of the settlements. Our fatliers 
were brought into a good land, "a land of brooks of water, of foun- 
tains and depths, that spring out of valleys and hills ; a land whose 
stones were iron." 



56 

The first list of taxable estate was made in 1742, whieli shows, as well 
as any thing, the relative wealth of tlie first inhaliitants. The list of 
Tlionias Newcomb amounted to one hundred and thirty-seven })ounds ; 
Henry Vandusen's to one hundred and seventeen pounds ; Calel) Smith's 
to one hundred and thirty-six pounds ; John Smith's to one hundred and 
twelve pounds, and Samuel Bellows' to ninety-seven pounds. These 
were the rich men of that day ! 

An extract from some of the early records of birth may amuse tiiose 
unae(|uainted with the Christian names of the ladies of Dutc-h ileseent. 

Areonchee Vandusen, daughter of Ilendrit-k Vanilusen and Nelehe 
his wife, was born April 3, 1740. 

Yoekamenche Vandusen, daughter of the same parents, was born 
March 26, 1736. 

Yacimitia, daughter of Henry Dutcher and Eleanor his wife, Ijorn Sep- 
tember 15, 1736. 

Janaca, daughter of the same parents, Ijorn August 3, 1746. 

But, my fellow townsmen, time hastens to take us up, upon its circuit 
of another centuiy ; and when, upon the course of lier flight, she shall, 
at the close of the next hundred years, sit do^vn the men of that day, 
here upon this spot of earth, v/hat will they see? Yonder heights of old 
Toceonuc wilFstand as now, and overlook these valleys ; but whether in 
all the^freshness of their forest garniture, or bleak, despoiled, and leal- 
less, none can tell. Whether the smoke of the colliery, and the sound of 
the hammer, shall, as now, denote the existence of a cheerful and thrifty 
population there ; or whether those hills will be forsaken, as desolate 
barrens, we cannot tell. 

(Jurjjeauliful lakes and streams will then remain, to give variety and 
l)eauty to the landscape. But whether they will be then, as they now 
are, surrounded and bordered by richly cultivated fields, displaying the 
neat and commodious dwellings of freemen ; or whether they will re- 
main only to furnish a pittance of food to an enslaved and cringing pop- 
ulation on their shores, none can tell. 

The more stately flow of the Housatonic — the River of the Mountains 
— will then, as now, be seen, and the sound of its majestic water-lall be 
heard ; but whether its waters will be permitted to run wastefully away, 
or the populous and busy village shall spring uyi and flourish there, years 
must determine. 

To the youth and the young men of Salisbury, I put a more important 
incpiiry. At the close of another century, what will be the condition of 
our religious, literary, and civil institutions, which your fatheivs have 
reared and cherished? 

I put to you this question, because into your hands they are soon to be 
committed. 



57 

Shall these temples of religious worship, consecrated to the service of 
the living God, be permitted to moulder into ruins, with no pious hands 
to build them again? Shall the religion of the Bible, pure aaid unadul- 
terated by this world's philosophy, be taught in them, then ; or shall the 
advancing spirit of Pantheism and infidelity take its place? Shall secta- 
rian and denominational jealousies palsy the energies, and chill the 
affections of good men, so that the advances of the common enemy can- 
not be stayed? I charge you, here, in the presence of your assembled 
fathers, be faithful to the trust about to he committed to you ! 

To contribute of your pecuniary means is but a part of your duty in 
perpetuating your religious privileges. Attend steadily and without ex- 
cuse the public services of the sanctuary. I would with hesitancy give 
credit to a young man on his oath, in'a court of justice, whom I should 
find habitually absenting himself from the public worship of God. 

That the men of another century will witness here, what our imagina- 
tions eamiot now anticii^ate, is certain. Ever since the discovery of 
printing, and the dawn of the reformation, the march of intellect has 
been progressive. What shall impede it hereafter? Does not the shin- 
ing of one light illumine the way to the discovery of others ? The laws 
of mind as well as of matter will be more clearly developed and better 
understood. Every thing unusual will not, as heretofore, be considered 
as supernatural and miraculous. The malevolence and strife elicited by 
the discordant opinions and prejudices of this day, will be considei'ed 
then, as the infirmities peculiar to a by-gone age. j; At least this must be 
true, if the hopes of many a believer in the near approach of a day of 
millennial peace, shall ever be realized. 

My yoimg friends, the days in which we live are portentous of evil to 
the civil and social institutions which our fathers have established, and of 
which you, with others, are soon to have the guardianship. Will they 
withstand the shock of conflicting parties? Can they resist the inroads' 
of demoralizing principles and actions, which party sti'ife has brought in 
upon us? A shorter period than another century will reply! 

But I am admonished to forbear. My much respected fellow towns- 
men, another occasion like this will come neither to us nor our children ! 
The reflection need not be one of gloom or regret. A succession of men, 
like the succession of time, will come and pass along, until the purj^oses 
of God, in creation, shall be accomplished! 

When the next Centennial commemoration of the event we now cele- 
brate, shall be observed, the proceedings of this day will be repeated, 
arid the examples which we and our children shall furnish, will then be 
apj)ealed to, in praise or in censure. Our descendants, from the cluster- 
ing cities of the Mississippi, and may be, from the Oregon of the Pacific 
Ocean, mil some of them, here visit the places of their fathers' sepul- 



58 

• 

ture, and search among the fallen monuments and defaced inscriptions, 
to learn who we were, and what we have been! Our responsibilities 
are immense ! And now, while we take our leave of the first century of 
our corporate existence, and to-morrow shall have commenced another ; 
ought we not, as we have reviewed the history of our social state, also 
review the temper and disposition of our hearts? Is there no bitterness, 
no jeak)usy, nor evil speaking, which should this day be put out from 
among us? Can our social condition be worth preserving, unless this 
be done ? Must we and our children be s^joiled by faction, and agitated 
by division? Will you leave to your descendants a legacy of sti'ife? 
Would to God, this could be made a day of jubilee, on which all former 
accounts "of envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," could be 
canceled for ever ! 

But I will not indulge in these reflections — others, of a different char- 
acter, impress me. I see here, many of our old associates, the former 
inhabitants of our town, and I bid them welcome to their native home 



airam 



My friends, you have not, in your absence, been forgotten by us. 
More frequently than you suppose, your names have here been repeated ; 
and we have, by our fire-sides and in our social circles, spoken of you, 
again and again, with honest pride, as Salisbury men. Uison some of 
you, fortune has bestowed favors with liberal hand ; and bitterness of 
spirit, under disa})pointed hopes, may have been the portion of others. 
But here, on this cheerful occasion, while within the embi*aces of your 
common parent — your native town, which knows no distinction in her 
affection for her children — we invite you to be happy with us, your breth- 
ren. 

No small purpose of our present meeting has been, that we might take 
you by the hand, with a heart-felt God bless you. You look about this 
assembly for the once familiar faces of other friends. You see them not. 
We point you to their marble monuments! Soon — to-morrow — with 
"lingering look behind," again, and perhaps for ever, you leave us, for 
the homes of your later choice. You leave these consecrated walls, 
where, perhaps, your earliest devotions were paid, and your vows reg- 
istered,jto worship in other temples. And we acknowledge to you, that 
the duty of us, who remain, will ever be, so to live and act, that the 
name of your jjarcnt town shall never make you ashamed. 

Others, very many, there are, of our emigrant friends, whom we had 
hoped to meet, but'do not see among us this day : — they are with us in 
heart and spii-it : — in their fancies and affections they are looking over 
these hills into the midst of our assembly. In the same affectionate 
spirit we receive them ! In oiu- approaching festive and convivial inter- 
view, we will speak of them — we will inquire alter them with anxious 



59 

solicitude — wo -will rocall them again to our reoollection, and tlio scenes 
of former life in which we have participated. And before we separate 
here, we will unite with our reverend and venerable friend,* who will 
close the public exercises of this house, in commending them, and all 
their interests, to the care of our lieavenly Father, whose merciful Prov- 
idence encii'cles us all. 

*Rev. Chauucey Lee, D. D. 



1841---18T6. 



NOTICE, 



There will be a Town meeting of the legal voters of the Town of Salisbury, Litchfield Coun- 
ty, State of Connecticut, on Monday, 13th day of March, 1876, at 2 o'clock, p. m., at the Town 
Room, for the following purpose, to wit: 

To see what the Town will do in regard to celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of tlie 
Declaration of Independence, on the 4th of July, next, and to do any other business proper to 
be done at said meeting. 

JOHN R. WARD, ) 

JOHN P. MoNElL, J. Selectmen. 
JAMES H. BAKNUM, ) 
Dated at Salisbury, this Ist day of March, 1876. 



In pursuance to Warning, the legal voters met at the Town Hall, on Monday, the 13th day of 
March, 1876. 

John A. McArthur was chosen Moderator. 

Ist. — Resolved, That the Town of Salisbury in Town meeting assembled, does hereby vote 
and agree to hold a Centennial celebration, on the fourth day of July, 1876. 

2d. — Resolved, That our venerable townsman, William H. Walton, Esq., be and is hereby 
elected as President of the day, assisted by John K. Ward, J. P. McNeil, and James H. Bar- 
num, as Vice-Presidents, and G. S. Uibbs, P. S. Burrall, F. W, Holmes, and Thos. L. Norton, 
as Secretaries. 

Zd.— Resolved, That the Hon. A. H. Holley be and is hereby elected Centennial Historian. 

4th. — Resolved, That Donald J. Warner, Esq., be and is hereby elected Orator of the day. 

5th. — Resolved, That Hubert WiUiama, Esq., be and is hereby elected Reader of the day. 

6th. — Resolved, That a Centennial Cormuission consisting of the following named gentlemen 
be and is hereby elected, to wit: Hon. WiUiam H. Baruum, Samuel S. Itobbins, Horace Lan- 
don, Lot Norton, Albert Moore, James Ensign, Peter P. Evarts, Frederick Miles, Moses L. 
Graham, Wm. A. Crowell, Wm. H. Walton, Jr., Pliny L, Barton, Henry Woodworth, Lorenzo 
Tupper, Daniel Cook, Newton L. Dexter, Nelson Landon, Martin Harris, George B. Burrail. 

7th. — Resolved, That an Executive Committee consisting of the following named gentlemen 
be and is hereby elected, to wit: Milton H. Robbins, James W. Parks, Harlow P. Harris, Danie^ 
Pratt, Robert Little, Chauncey R. Morris, Robert H. Ball, Sidney P. Ensign, Charles Evarts, 
Milo B. Richardson, Joseph L. Pease, Wm. B. Rudd, John G. Landon, Charles H. Bissell, Geo. 
K. Peck, Edward Ward, Henry Hubbard, Donald T. Waruer. 

8th. — Resolved, That the Executive Committee be directed to collect the proper amount of 
funds to defray the expenses of the day by subscription. 

9th. — Resolved, That the Selectmen be directed, with the assistance of such persons as may 
choose to assist them, to set out an Elm Tree, on the Town Green, between the Congregational 
Church and the Academy, to be called " The Centennial Tree." 

The foregoing Resolutions were adopted unanimously. 

Vottd, That this meeting adjourn to July 4, 1876, at 8 o'clock, a. m. 

Attest:— DANIEL PRATT, 

Town Clerk, 



RECORD OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, YN SALISBURY, 
CONNECTICUT, JULY 4, A. D. 187G. 



Pursuant to vote passed March 13, 1870, the electors of the Town of Salisbury met at the 
Towu Hall, July 4, 1876, at 8 o'clock, a. m., and from thence proceeded to the School House 
Grove, where the exercises of the day were to be held ; and in consequem;c of the inability of 
William H. Walton, Esq., to be present and to preside at said meeting, John 11. Ward, Esq., 
was thereupon cht)Bon President of the day. 

The following order of exercises was then carried out according to the previously arranged 
plan of the Executive Committee, to wit: 
1. — Prayer, by the Rev. Dr. Keid. 
2. — Smging, " My Country, 'tis of Thee." 

3.— Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Hubert Williams, Esq. 
4. — Music, by the Band. 

.5. — Historical Address, by Ex-Gov. A. H. Hollcy. 
6. — .Singing, Centennial Hymn. 
7. — At 12 o'clock, a Salute of 12 Guns was fired. 
8. — Intermission of one hour for Dinner. 
9.— Music, by the Band. 
10.— Original Poem, by H. M. Knight, M. D. 
11. — Singing, " Keller's American Hymn." 
12. — Oration, by Donald J. Warner, Esq. 
13. — Reading of Communications. 
14. — Singing, "Star Spangled Banner." 
li). — Benediction, by Rev. Wm. A. Johnson. 
The following resolutions were then unanimously passed: 

Resolved, That the thanks of the inhabitants of the Town of Salisbury be and are hereby 
extended to Ex-Gov. Hcjlley, D. J. Warner, Esq., U. M. Knight, M. D., Hubert Williams, Esq., 
and the lady who composed the Centennial Hymn, for the able manner in which they performed 
the respective duties assigned them. 

Resolved, That .'500 copies of Judge Church's address, delivered at the Centennial Celebra- 
tion in this town, in 1841, together with the Historical Address by Ex-Gov. HoUey, the Oration 
by D. J. Warner, Esq., the Poem by H. M. Knight, M. D., the Centennial Hymn, and the re- 
marks made by George W. Holley, Esq., and so many of the Communications received from 
natives of the town as shall be deemed advisable, shall be published in pamphlet form; and 
that Milton H. Bobbins and Donald T. Warner, Esqs., be and are hereby appointed a commit- 
tee to carry this resolution into effect. 
Voted, That this meeting be dissolved. 

Attest:— DANIEL PRATT, 

Town Clerk. 
A salute of 38 guns was fired at sunset, and there wafs a grand display of fireworks in the 
evening. 



Si 



storieal Address. 



Mr. Moderator and Fellow-citizens : — 

We have gathered here to-day with patriotic hearts, I 
doubt not, warmed with a deepening devotion to the 
interest and honor of our beloved country. We meet 
under the influence of the better impulses of our natures, 
with broader charities toward each other, and toward our 
fellow-men every where, and with a full purpose to fra- 
ternize cordially, in celebrating another anniversary of the 
Nation's birth. 

With deep thankfulness for the innumerable blessings 
which have been so abundantly bestowed upon us as a 
people, we would acknowledge with unfeigned gratitude, 
our obligations to the Giver of all good. 

We have met on similar occasions in years past, to cel- 
ebrate the day which gave us liberty as well as birth and 
national life. We met then as we meet now, to revive 
our recollections of the noble men and the glorious deeds 
through which our independence was achieved, — to rein- 
vigorate our own hearts with a truer appreciation of the 
perils which were encountered and overcome to accom- 
plish our emancipation from one of the mightiest nations 



of the earth. A just appreciation of these events should 
now lead us to a firmer purpose of maintaining in its in- 
tegrity this glorious inheritance bequeathed to us by an 
honored ancestry. 

Fellow-citizens, it is good for us to be here. It is wise 
for communities as well as nations, to commemorate pecu- 
liar events in their history by some appropriate demon- 
stration that shall fix in the minds of men the eras which 
mark their progress through the centuries, and which 
shall serve as land-marks from which to date subsequent 
history. Such events are the birth-days of Nations — the 
founding of States — the incorporation of towns — the or- 
ganization of churches and schools — the establishment of 
hospitals and kindred institutions. A due consideration 
of such acts wiU enable us to determine whether we are 
discharging our whole duty to those who are to come af- 
ter us. 

It is eminently appropriate, therefore, that we should, 
on this more than ordinarily interesting occasion, renew 
and perpetuate the history' of our own town — revive our 
recollections of those heretofore amongst us, native born, 
or long resident, who have occupied prominent positions 
in our own, or other communities — to refer briefly to the 
progress of our fellow -citizens in the arts and improve- 
ments of civilized life — to recur to some of the reasons 
which have given us an honorable position among sur- 
rounding communities, and to leave such data as will en- 
able the future historian to make up the record of the 



3 

century through which we are passing, and at the close 
of which so few of us will be able to present personal 
reminiscences. 

More than a third of a century, and an entire genera- 
tion of our race have passed from the earth since those 
of us who are still living, together with multitudes of 
others who have gone down to honored graves, assembled 
under the ancient roof of yonder Congregational Church 
to celebrate the first centennial anniversary of our exis- 
tence as an incorporated community. Your venerated 
predecessor, Mr. Moderator — the two honorable gentlemen 
who addressed us oh that occasion — the reverend father 
and his younger legal friend, who, together, composed the 
hymns that were sung on that day, and four of the com- 
mittee who made the 'arrangements for the celebration, 
all now sleep in the dust. 

To those of us who remember the high social enjoy- 
ments of our own citizens, and the kindly meetings and 
greetings of friends and kindred whom we welcomed from 
far-off homes to their native town on that hallowed day, 
pleasant memories come to warm our hearts anew. Yet, 
they are shadowed by the consciousness that most of those 
friends have passed from our midst, and from all the cares 
and enjoyments of earth to the purer enjoyments, as we 
hope, of a higher life. We may turn, however, from 
thoughts saddened by their departure to brighter scenes 
and incidents, that should cheer and encourage us as we 
move along in our progress through our second century. 



The historical sermon which was delivered by the Rev. 
Joseph W. Grossman on the fiftieth, and the one subse- 
quently delivered by Judge Church on the one hundredth 
anniversary of the organization of the town, leave but a 
comparatively brief history to be added since 1841. 

Referring first, then, to individuals, as indicated above, 
I may, I think, appropriately speak more at length of 
those to whom allusion has already been made, as our 
record commences with that notable day. 

The venerable and much respected chairman of that 
meeting. Lot Norton, Esq., was a native-born citizen, 
who, after a useful and honorable life, in which he served 
the town in various public capacities, as its records will 
show, died in 1847, on the estate long occupied by his 
ancestor. The historian of the day, Hon. Samuel Church, 
also native born, continued to reside amongst us a loved 
and honored citizen, until in the course of the practice of 
his profession, he was elected a Judge of the Supreme 
Court, when his duties called him to the county seat in 
1847, where he made his residence for the remainder of 
his life. Judge Church was for eleven years Judge of 
Probate for this district, — from 1821 to 1832, — and 
State's Attorney for Litchfield County, from 1823 to 1832. 
In 1847 he was elected Chief Justice of the State, which 
office he filled acceptably until his decease in 1854. 
Judge Church also delivered a county centennial address 
in 1851. Having recently looked over both of these ad- 
dresses, I commend them most earnestly to the men now 



conducting our public affairs, not only on account of their 
historical reminiscences, but for the suggestions they con- 
tain of the best methods of perpetuating an honorable 
history, and also of maintaining our good name and 
standing in the State. The gentleman who supplemented 
with a short address that of Judge Church, in relation to 
his native town, and on behalf of the emigrant friends 
who were then our guests, Hon. John M. Holley, died in 
Florida in 1848, while a member of Congress from a wes- 
tern district in New York. He had also represented the 
district of his residence in the State Legislature. The 
Rev. Jonathan Lee (already referred to) composed two of 
the hymns that were sung on that anniversary, as did 
Churchill Coffing, Esq., two others, which were also sung 
on the same occasion. Mr. Lee died in Salisbury in Sep- 
tember, 1866, and Mr. Coffing in Chicago in 1873. Both 
of these gentlemen were writers of considerable ability, 
and both were native-born, educated and cultivated gen- 
tlemen. 

Of the committee of arrangements for that day, six in 
number, Eliphalet Whittlesey, Esq., died in 1859, John 
C. Coffing in 1847, Jared S. Harrison in 1864, and Sam- 
uel C. Scoville in 1865. These four gentlemen all died 
in their respective homes, Mr. Whittlesey and Mr. Coffing 
in this village, Mr. Scoville on his farm in the northeast 
part of the town, and Col. Harrison at his pleasant home 
in Lakeville, on the old homestead of the Chittenden's. 
All of them had served the town acceptably in various 



public capacities, having honorable records, as will subse- 
quently appear ; their descendants still dwell amongst us. 
Of the two living members, it does not become me to 
speak, only to state, the historical fact, that both of them 
became Lieut. -Governors of the State, and one of them 
Governor also. Mr. Coffing bequeathed to the town by 
his will a fund designed to promote the comfort and the 
welfare of all such as may become inmates of the Town 
Asylum, as well as in aid of our religious societies, and 
some minor objects. It may be proper to mention in this 
connection, that Messrs. Moore and Timothy Chittenden, 
each left funds in aid of the Congregational Society, wor- 
shiping in this village. It gives me pleasure also, to 
state that our esteemed young friend, Henry Clark, who 
died in 1872, left funds in aid of the Episcopal Society, 
worshiping here. Mr. Clark's bequest to that society, 
making such a provision for the support of religion, while 
engaged in the active duties of middle life, does honor, 
both to his judgment and his memory. 

Of the gentlemen of the legal profession, who have de- 
ceased since 1841, or who have gone out from amongst us 
into other communities, I may mention the Hon. Thos. 
G. Waterman, son of David Waterman, who lived in town, 
and was once associated with Ethan AUin in the ownership 
of the furnace at Lakeville, many years ago. Thos. G. 
taught scbool in Lakeville, studied law with the late Gen. 
Elisha Sterling, and left town more than half a century 
since. He delivered, it is said, the first fourth of July 



7 

oration ever delivered in this town. He became a promi- 
nent member of the bar in Binghamton, N. Y., and was 
twice elected to the Senate of that State. He died in 
Binghamton in 1861. 

Hon. Peter B. Porter, alluded to in Judge Church's 
address, was born in Lakeville, and died at his home at 
Niagara Falls in 1844. He was in Congress in 1810, 
and also Secretary of War under President J. Q. Adams. 

Campbell Bushnell studied law in Hudson, N. Y., prac- 
ticed there several years, and then removed to New York 
City, where he continued to practice until his death, 
which occurred in 1839. 

Orsamus Bushnell practiced in New York City during 
the whole of his professional life, and died there in 1868. 
Both of these gentlemen were born in town, near the New 
York State line, and were prominent lawyers. 

I cannot refrain from giving an extract from a letter 
recently received from Pope Bushnell, Esq., the oldest of 
the many brothers of this Bushnell family, in which he 
says : "I am now in my 88th year, and think I am de- 
voutly grateful for a comfortable measure of health. 
Bruised and battered in a conflict of more than four and 
a quarter score of years, I am in almost childlike feeble- 
ness, leaning on my staff, patiently waiting for those bet- 
ter days to come." 

Hon. Theron R. Strong, son of Hon. Martin Strong, 
was born in town, 1802, practiced law in Palmyra and 
Rochester, N. Y., was elected to Congress for one session 



8 

in 1839, and also to the Supreme Court of that State for 
seven years from January 1st, 1851, and was one year in 
the Court of Appeals. He died in New York City in 
1873, leaving an honorable record. 

Hon. Graham H. Chapin was born in Chapinville in 
1800, studied law in Canandaigua with John C. Spencer, 
removed to and practiced law in Lyons, Wayne County, 
N. Y., was elected to Congress from that district in 1836, 
and served one term, and died at Mount Morris in 1843. 
Mr. Chapin was for some years Surrogate of Wayne Co. 
He, with other respected members of that family, were 
born on the estate now owned by Horace Landon, Esq. 

Orville L. Holley, Esq., lawyer, editor and author, was 
born in Lakeville in 1791, and died in Albany in 1861. 
He was for several years Surveyor General of the State 
of New York. 

Hon. Norton J. Buel and his brother Theodore, were 
both born in the Harrison district, both practiced law in 
Waterbury, and both died there, the former in March, 
1864, and the latter in 1872. Norton J.'s professional 
career was one of considerable eminence. His practice 
was chiefly in New Haven County. He represented Wa- 
terbury, the place of his residence, in the General As- 
sembly in 1856, and was during one session a member of 
the State Senate, also a Judge of Probate for five years. 

Hon. John M. Holley was born in Lakeville in 1802. 
He died in Florida while a member of Congress from the 
27th Congressional district of New York. He has al- 
ready been alluded to. 



9 

Hon. George Bartlett, son of the late Loring Bartlett, 
was born near the Twin Lakes, practiced hiw in Bing- 
hamton, N. Y,, and died there. Mr. B. represented his 
district in the New York Legislature. 

Hon. John II. Hubbard was born on Town Hill, prac- 
ticed law in Lakeville for several years, was a member of 
the State Senate from this 17th district in 1847 and 1850, 
removed to Litchfield in 1855, where he died in July, 
1872. Mr. Hubbard was elected to Congress in 1863 
and 18G5. He was also States' Attorney from 1849 to 
1854. His record testifies to his ability and standing 
among his fellow men. 

Churchill Coffing, Esq., son of the late John C. Coffing, 
was born in the Center district, practiced law in Peru, 
111., and died in Chicago in 1873. 

Luther T. Ball, son of the late Robert Ball, was born 
in the Chapinville district, studied law with D. J War- 
ner, Esq., and vsubsequently at Ballston, N. Y., and was 
admitted to the bar in this State in 1854. Mr. Ball re- 
moved quite early from town, and finally located in Keiths- 
burg, 111., where he took a high stand both as a lawyer 
and a citizen. At the commencement of hostilities on the 
part of the south, Mr. Ball and his partner raised a com- 
pany of volunteers, of which he was chosen 1st lieutenant. 
This company was attached to the 84th Illinois regiment. 
He fell in the defence of his country at the battle of Mur- 
freesboro', in December, 1862, and in obedience to a pre- 
vious arrangement, was buried on the field hallowed by 
his blood. 2 



10 

John n. Russell, Esq., was born in Canaan, practiced 
law in this town, and died on his farm in Lakeville in 
1871. Mr. Russell represented the town in the legisla- 
ture, as will appear from the record, in 1863 and 1854. 

Charles Whittlesey, Esq., was born in the Whittlesey 
district, graduated at Williams College in 1840, practiced 
law in Middletown and Hartford, and from the latter city 
went into the war in 1862 as Captain of Co. I, 22d reg- 
iment of infantry, and was honorably discharged in 18G3, 
He died in Alexandria, Va., in 1874, while in the prac- 
tice of his profession there. 

John G. Mitchell and Philander Wheeler, Esqs., both 
practiced law in Lakeville, but neither of them were born 
in town. The former died in Chicago in 1863, and the 
latter in town in 1852. 

All the above professional gentlemen to whom I have 
alluded are in their graves. 

John M. Sterling was born at Lakeville in 1800, grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1821, practiced law in Lake- 
ville several years, and then removed to Cleveland, Ohio. 
I believe Mr. Sterling gave less attention to the law than 
to land speculations in Ohio, where he acquired a consid- 
erable fortune, and is still living. 

The attorneys at present practicing in town, are : — 
Donald J. Warner, Esq., and his son Donald T., both lo- 
cated at the Center, and Hubert Williams at Lakeville. 
Donald J. represented this town in the Legislature in 1848 
and 1866. 



11 

William G. Sterling, son of W. C. Sterling, Esq., was 
born in Lakeville, commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion in New York city in 1841, is still in practice there 
and is, or has been, a Judge of one of the City Courts. 

Among the living lawyers, who had their birth or edu- 
cation in town, and who are now practicing elsewhere, I 
recall readily the names of Hon. Roger Aver ill, who was 
born in the Wetaug district, practiced law in this town 
some twelve years, during which period he held several 
important positions, and in 1843 represented the town in 
the Legislature. Mr. Averill removed to Danbury about 
1850, held the office of Probate Judge for that district 
three years, was elected Lieutenant Governor four con- 
secutive years from 1862 to 1866, and represented that 
town in the General Assembly in 1868. 

Lyman D, Brewster is a graduate of Yale College, 
is now practicing law in Danbury, has held the office of 
Judge of Probate there several years, was Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas for that county four years, and 
in 1870 was representative in the General Assembly. 

Charles B. Dutcher, born in Wetaug district, prac- 
ticed law in Spencertown, N, Y,, from whence he re- 
moved to New York city, and is now a resident of White 
Plains, N. Y. 

Jared F. Harrison, Esq., son of the late Jared S. Har- 
rison of Lakeville, was born in the Harrison district, stu- 
died law with Hon. J. H. Hubbard at Lakeville, and 
subsequently with Hon. T. R. Strong in Palmyra, where 



12 

he commenced practice, but is now a practitioner in New 
York city, 

Charles C. Barton, Esq., son of Hon. Pliny L. Barton, 
was born in Salisbury, graduated at Trinity College, and 
is now practicing in Boston, Mass, 

George W. Peet, Esq., born in the house now occupied 
by Hon. P. L. Barton, in 1825, commenced practice with 
Hon. Wm. M. Burrall of Canaan, and represented that 
town in the Legislature four sessions, was elected Presi- 
dent of the Iron Bank in 1864, and now resides in North 
Canaan. 

Judson S. Landon was born in the Lime Rock District, 
in 1832, received his education chiefly in the state of 
New York, was employed as a teacher of mathematics 
and natural sciences at Princetown, New York, for two 
years ; subsequently attended the law school at Yale col- 
lege, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice at 
Schenectady in 1856. The same year he was elected 
District Attorney of that county, which office he held six 
years ; he also held the office of County Judge for that 
county two terms. In 1874 he was elected Justice of 
the Supreme Court of the fourth Judicial district of the 
State of New York, which office he now holds. 

Charles B, Landon — brother of Judson S. — was also 
educated in the State of New York, commenced the study 
of law with D. J. Warner, Esq., of this town, in 1859, 
was admitted to the bar in 1862 ; the same year entered 
the army as a Chaplain in the 28th Regiment, Connecti- 



13 

cut Volunteers ; returning from* the army late in 18G3, 
he commenced the practice of law in Columbia County, 
N. Y. In 1867 he entered the ministry in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and is still a member of the New York 
Conference, 

It will appear from our history thus for, that the legal 
profession has been numerously, and often with eminent 
ability, represented both at home and abroad, and chiefly 
by native-born citizens. 

Of clergymen, whose history is more or less connected 
with our own, but who now sleep in their graves, having 
died since 1841, 1 may repeat the name of Jonathan Lee, 
who has already been alluded to. 

Rev. Leonard E. Lathrop, who preached thirteen years 
in the Congregational Church in this village, removed to, 
and preached in, Auburn, N. Y., several years, returned 
in July, 1854, to Connecticut, was settled in Sharon, and 
died there in 1857. Doctor Lathrop was an able and el- 
oquent divine. 

Revs. W. L. and Henry P. Strong, brothers, were born 
on Town Hill, and went abroad in early life to preach as 
a Congregational Clergyman. Wm. L. die<l in 1859, 
and Henry P. in 1875. 

Rev. Edward Hollister and Rev. Edwin Holmes, were 
sons of our soil, but I have been unable to trace their 
history 

Rev. Edwin Janes, born in Sheffield, Mass., was edu- 
cated amongst us, became a valuable member and preacher 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in . 



14 

Of the living clergymen, born or educated here, I re- 
call the names of the venerable and Rev. Isaac Bird, born 
in the west part of the town in 1794, who was for some 
fourteen years a missionary, residing at different periods in 
Palestine, at Beiriit, and Mount Lebanon, and subse- 
quently became the principal of a flourishing school in 
Hartford. Mr. Bird is now a resident of Great Barring- 
ton, Mass., at the advanced age of 83 years. 

Rev. Edmund Janes, a prominent and much valued 
preacher in the Methodist denomination, was born in 
Sheffield, but came early to Salisbury and secured his ed- 
ucation while a resident here . He was elected Bishop in 

. The duties of his office required or induced him 

to travel extensively both in this country and in Europe. 
His varied and extensive acquirements have rendered him 
an hpnored and much loved member of the clerical profes- 
sion, irrespective of denominational distinctions. 

Revs . Eliphalet and Elisha Whittlesey, sons of the late 
Eliphalet Whittlesey, Esq., were both born in the Whit- 
tlesey district. The former was a missionary for some 
ten years at the Sandwich Islands, from about 1844 to 
1854. The latter is now a resident of North Canaan, 
and the Rector of the Episcopal Church in that place. 

Rev. Joseph Pettee graduated at Yale College in 1833, 
studied with Dr. Lathrop, preached for a short time as a 
Congregational Clergyman, and subsequently became a 
Swedenbergian Minister. Mr. Pettee is highly esteemed 
among his brethren, and is an excellent man. 



15 

Revs. Peter *IV[. and Alexander Bartlett, both born in 
the Whittlesey district, and both at present residents of 
Tennessee. The former is President, and the latter Pro- 
fessor, in Marysville College in that State. 

Rev. Albert Bushnel, son of the late Albert Bushnel, 
was born in the Ore Hill district, and is now, I believe, 
preaching in a Congregational Church in Sterling, 111. 

Of the living clergymen who have been Rectors of the 
Episcopal Church at the Center, I am enabled to give the 
following names : 

Rev. Charles Devins was Rector in 1841. 

William Warland's rectorship commenced in 1842. 

George H. Nichols' in 1846. 

Ruel H. Tuttle's in 1855. 

Samuel Jarvis' in 1860. 

J. A. Wainwright's in 1865. 

William A. Johnson's in 1871. 

Mr, Johnson is much esteemed not only for his earnest- 
ness in preaching, but for his faithfulness in the discharge 
of his pastoral duties. 

The Episcopalians in town have recently acquired a 
new and beautiful church edifice at Lime Rock, of which 
Rev. Millidge Walker is Rector. 

The requirements of itineracy in the Methodist Epis- 
copal denomination have rendered it difficult for me to 
ascertain who, among those that have been stationed in 
town, are now among the living. The more recent in- 
cumbents have been, Oscar Haviland, Q. J. Collins, Na- 



16 

than Hubbell, Clark Wright, Wm. S. Bowton, Win. Ste- 
vens, The hitter was transferred in April last, and John 
G. Oakley is his successor. 

The Congregational Society, worshipping in this village, 
has been subjected to no change in its pulpit incumbent 
since 1841. Its present able and beloved Pastor, Doctor 
Adam Reid, is now in the fortieth year of his pastorate, 
and is probably the oldest clergyman having but a single 
settlement in the State. In 1836 he was engaged to 
preach for a single year, at the close of which he was set- 
tled as permanent Pastor. Frequent efforts have been 
made to obtain his services in other localities, notably at 
Boston, Hartford and Brooklyn. Dr. Reid delivered the 
centennial address of his church in 1844. 

Prominent among our medical practitioners who haye 
deceased since 1841, was Luther Ticknor, who had an 
extensive practice in this town and vicinity. He was at 
one time President of the State Medical Society, before 

which he delivered the annual address in . He also 

represented the town in the General Assembly, as its rec- 
ord shows. 

Henry Fish, born in New York City, married in Salis- 
bury, came here to practice about 1820, remained about 
twenty-five years, removed to Lee, Mass., about 1845, 
and died there in 1850, aged 62 years. He was a grad- 
uate of Yale College, and was a surgeon in the war of 
1812. 

Asahel Humphrey came into town from Norfolk, was 
both physician and druggist, and died here in April, 1852. 



17 

Ovid Plumb, born in Canaan, came into this town in 
1830 from Dutchess County, N. Y., practiced extensively 
in the vicinity until 1856, when he died at his home near 
the Twin Lakes. 

Chauncey Reed was born in Salisbury, practiced in 
Sharon, was a much respected citizen there, as well as an 
intelligent physician. He died in Sharon in 1866. 

Prof. Charles A. Lee was born in the Ticknor district, 
practiced some years in the city and vicinity of New 
York, but was more extensively known as a Medical Lec- 
turer, having for several years lectured in five different 
states. 

Ferdinand F. Fish, son of the late Henry Fish, was 
born in New York city, but came to Salisbury when quite 
young, studied medicine but did not practice. He spent 
some years in New York and became quite an eminent 
chemist. He removed to Waterbury, in this State, was 
twice elected Mayor of that city, and died in Lee, Mass., 
in 1868. 

Benajah and Caleb Ticknor, brothers of Dr. Luther, 
were both eminent practitioners, the former as Surgeon in 
the U. S. Navy, and the latter as a Homoeopathist in 
New York. Caleb wrote several medical works. He 
died in New York in 1840. 

William J. Barry came into town from Hartford, loca- 
ted in Lakeville in 1835, practiced there eleven years 
quite successfully, and then returned to Hartford, where 
he died in 1847, much lamented. 
3 



18 

William Worden came from Richmond, Mass., located 
at the Center village, practiced here about seven years, 
and died in 1853. Dr. Worden had secured a strong hold 
upon the people here, and v^ras in full practice up to the 
time of his death. 

Benjamin Welch, a native of Norfolk, Ct., commenced 
practice in Lakeville in 1845, and remained here until his 
decease in 1874. He, too, was highly esteemed in his 
profession, and was much beloved, especially by the poor, 
whom he cheerfully attended. 

The preceding physicians are all dead. 

Adonijah Strong, son of the late Hon. Martin Strong, 
born in Salisbury, studied with the late Dr. Luther Tick- 
nor, and is now in practice at Honesdale, Pa. 

J. 0. Niles practiced in Salisbury about eight years, 
went into the army (for a few years) about 1861, re- 
turned to Salisbury — from whence he went to Schenac- 
tady, N. Y., and from thence to Chatham, N. Y. 

Samuel P. Church, son of Judge Samuel Church, was 
born in Salisbury, commenced practice in Derby in 1847, 
removed to Newburgh, N. Y., in 1857, where he is still 
actively engaged in his profession. 

Elisha W. Cleveland went from Lakeville to New York 
city in 1826, practiced there thirty years, and returned to 
Lakeville in 1856, and still resides among us, at the age 
of seventy-eight. 

George Sterling, son of George W. Sterling of Sha- 
ron, practiced in town a year or two about 1864. 



19 

Dr. J. H. Blodgett practiced in town from 18GG to 
1873. 

The venerable Moderator, Wm. II. Walton, first chosen 
to preside over this meeting, was once, 1 believe, a med- 
ical student. 

The medical gentlemen now practicing in town, are, 
William Bissell and John L. Orton located in Lakeville, 
and Bradford J. Thompson at Salisbury Center. 

Henry M. Knight came into town from Stafford Springs, 
and commenced practice in 1851, with Dr. Benjamin 
Welch. While I deem it inappropriate to make extended 
remarks in relation to the living representatives of any 
profession, I must be permitted to depart somewhat from 
this rule in the case of Dr. Knight . His name is so inti- 
mately connected with the establishment of a humane in- 
stitution in this town, in which so many of us feel a deep 
interest, that I cannot record Us history without connect- 
ing a portion of his own with it. While engaged in his 
profession, he conceived the idea of establishing a school 
for the improvement of imbecile children. In 1855, 
while representing this town in the General Assembly, 
that body was induced to appoint a Commission to ascer- 
tain the number and condition of that unfortunate class 
in the State. That Commission, of which the Doctor was 
an efficient member, reported to the next succeeding Leg- 
islature. The impression produced upon that body was 
such as to induce the belief that a school of the kind 
would be sustained in part, at least, by State aid. 



20 

In 1858 the Doctor commenced a school for the purpose 
indicated above, in the house formerly occupied by the 
late Judge Church, with a single and not very promising 
pupil. Gradually the number of pupils increased, and 
there was such evident improvement in their condition 
that the Doctor determined to submit them to an exami- 
nation before the General Assembly. In due time, with 
meagre aid from the State, and more from his friends, he 
was enabled in 1863 to erect a more suitable building for 
his school purposes, which, within three years past, has 
been enlarged, so that now, in the nineteenth year from 
the commencement, he is enabled to accommodate more 
than one hundred pupils, having nearly that number now 
in the institution. The State has never been very liberal 
in support of this institution, although from time to time 
aid has been granted towards the construction of build- 
ings, and in aid of indigent pupils. Legislative com- 
mittees have annually visited the school for several years 
past, and have, I believe, uniformly recommended its 
support by the State. • 

Both the town and the State are indebted to the indom- 
itable perseverance of Dr. Knight, for the success of this 
institution, which does honor to his heart and is a credit 
to the town. 

The location of this institution is unsurpassed for salu- 
brity and beauty, by any other in the State. 

Other medical gentlemen have represented us abroad, 
with whose history, however, I am not familiar. 



21 



The political interests of the town have been represent- 
ed in the State Senate at five different sessions since 
1841, viz. : by Hon. John H. Hubbard in 1847 and 1851, 
by Charles E. Botsford in 1857, by Geo. C offing in 18G1, 
and by Pliny L. Barton in 1873. 

The fiillowing gentlemen have been members of the 
House of Representatives since 1841 : 



1842— William P. Russell. 

Win. II. Walton. 
1843— Samuel C. Scoville. 

" Roger Averill. 
1844 — No choice. 
1845— Robert N. Fuller. 
1846 — Horace Hollister. 

" Albert Moore. 
1847 — Amos L. Patterson. 

Wm. 11. Walton. 
1848— Donald J. Warner. 

" Horatio Ames. 
1849— William Bushnell. 

" Leonard Richardson. 
1850 — Horatio Ames. 

" Schuyler Pratt. 
1851 — Nathaniel Benedict. 

" Wm. H. Barnum. 
1852— Milton Hubbard. 

" Pliny L. Barton. 
1853— James S. Ball. 

" John H. Russell. 
1854— John H. Russell. 

" Wm. A. Crowel. 
1855— Charles E. Botsford. 

" Henry M. Knight. 
1856— Peter P. Everts. 

" James Landon. 
1857— Lot Norton. 

" Martin Harris. 
1858— Charles E. Botsford. 

•' James Ensign. 
1859 — James Landon. 

" James H. Barnum. 



I860— George Coffing. 

" Horace Landon. 
1861— Wm. P.;Burrall. 

" Silas B. Moore. 
1862— Silas B. Moore. 

" Geo. Wood. 
1863 — Leonard Richardson. 

" Peter Friss. 
1864 — Lorenzo Tupper. 

" Albert Sellick. 
1865— Frederick A. Walton. 

" George Landon. 
1866— D J. Warner. 

" John Ward well. 
1867 — Norman Spurr. 

Goiuirich N. Gibbs. 
1868— JonatlKiii P. McNeil. 

" James Van Deuzen. 
1869— Phiny L. Barton. 

" Erastus 1). Goodwin. 
1870— J. G. Landon. 

" Sidney P. Ensign. 
1871— Wm. II. Walton, Jr. 

" Heniy Woodworth. 
1872— John R. Ward 

" H. P. Harris. 
1873— Daniel Pratt. 

Geo. B.Clark. 
1874— Martin Harris. 

" Milo B. Richardson. 
1875— John P. Walton. 

C. R. Morris. 
1876— Robert Ball. 

" 0. Benjamin. 



22 

Among gentlemen who have held honorable positions 
in our own and other communities, who have not already 
been alluded to in one or the other of the professions, and 
who had their birth in Salisbury, I may mention Prof. 
Albert E. Church, son of the late Hon. Samuel Church — 
who was educated at the U. S. Military Academy at West 
Point — where he was graduated in 1828. In 1838 he 
was appointed Professor of Mathematics, which position 
he still holds after nearly forty years of service — proof 
beyond question of the value of his services. Professor 
Church has published four mathematical works. He still 
claims to be a citizen of Salisbury — having from his ma- 
jority been in the service of the government, he has gained 
no residence elsewhere. 

George W. Holley, educated in part at West Point, but 
unable to continue his .duties there on account of his deaf- 
ness, has been a member of the New York Legislature, is 
the author of a work on Niagara, and has written exten- 
sively for the public press. He is a resident of Niagara 
Falls, where he has resided for many years. 

Hon. W. H. Barnum, though not a professional gentle- 
man, has not only represented the town in the General 
Assembly, but has also been a member of the House of 
Representatives in Congress for some nine years, and is 
at present a member of the United States Senate. 

The following gentlemen, natives of this town, have 
represented other towns in this State in the General As- 
sembly since 1841 : 



23 

1850-58-62— Georo-e W. Peet for Canaan. 

1852 — Chauncc}' Reed for Sharon. 

1857 and 1864 — Fitch Landon lor Sharon. 

1865— F. N. Holley for Wolcottvillc. 

1865— N. E. Wood"' for North Canaan. 

1S66 — N. M. Brown for North Canaan. 

1869— E. J. Reed for Sharon. 

1S69— J. S. Wheeler for Colebrook. 

1866 and 1868 — Egbert Bartlett for Derby. 

1870 — Lyman Brewster for Danbury. 

The list of town officers for a generation past, is of 
course too numerous to record here The m«agistrates who 
have been most frequently called upon as " trying Jus- 
tices'' so called, have been Robert N. Fuller and John H. 
Russell, both deceased, and Lorenzo Tupper, James En- 
sign and Andrew J. Spurr. 

James Ensign has been County Surveyor for some years 
past, and is still in office. Since 1841, John G. Mitch- 
ell, Robert N. Fuller, Albert Moore and Silas Moore, have 
each held the office of Judge of Probate, in the order 
named — the latter still holds the office. Daniel Pratt has 
held the oflice of Town Clerk since 1863, and still acts in 
that capacity. His predecessors since 1841 have been, 
Roger Averill for five years, Robert N. Fuller for one 
year, D. J. Warner for eight years, Newton L. Dexter for 
four years, Henry J. Reed, who died soon after his ap- 
pointment, and D. J. Warner was appointed to fill his 
place. Henry Hubbard filled the office four years. 

The manufacture of iron in various forms, has been one 
of the leading industries of the town from its earliest set- 
tlement, and without going back to the period of our Rev- 
olution, when cannon were cast here for the service of 



24 

both the army and navy of the United States ; and with- 
out referring again to iron masters who have been partic- 
ularly alluded to in our centennial history, 1 may and 
do refer with pride and pleasure to some of those who have 
given an impetus to our prosperity as a town in this de- 
partment of industry since that period. Of those who 
have passed from among us within the last generation, I 
recall the names of John C. Coffmg, Milo Barnum, Lee 
Canfield, Leonard Richardson, Nathaniel Church, New- 
man Holley, Samuel C. Scoville, Robert Bostwick, Geo. 
Cofiing, Horatio Ames. 

Among those who are still living but who have retired 
from this branch of business, the names of A. and S. 
Moore, Wm. C. Sterling and John H. Cofiing, occur to 
me. Mr. Albert Moore and Mr. Sterling have passed 
respectively the ages of seventy-eight and eighty-two, 
while our respected townsman, Horace Landon, Esq., re- 
mains in active business at the ripe age of nearly eighty 
years. 

Others of our townsmen actively engaged in this in- 
dustry in town and elsewhere, are Hon. Wm. H. Barnum, 
Samuel S. Robbins, George Landon, George Church, J. 
and C. Scoville, and Frederick Miles. Among their pro- 
ducts are car wheels. These of a superior ({uality are 
extensively manufactured by the Barnum & Richardson 
Co., at Lime Rock. They are so extensively used in the 
country that there are but few of us who travel that do 
not find ourselves borne along over almost any part of our 
railway system on Salisbury car wheels. 



25 

Our iron masters of the present day, however, are 
chiefly makers of pig iron. 

The manufacture of wrought iron in its various branch- 
es, once so important a business in town, has become, I 
believe, entirely extinct, or nearly so, within a compara- 
tively few years, Anchors, chain cables, and musket 
iron, car and locomotive axles, heavy screws for cotton 
and other presses, and a great variety of merchant and 
machinery iron, were manufactured at Mt. Riga, at the 
Center, Lime Rock and Falls Village. Very large and 
superior wrought iron cannon were made at Ames' works 
at Falls Village, during the late war, and were sold to the 
war department. The great anchors that were furnished 
for the two war frigates built in New York for the Greeks, 
in their struggle for independence in their war of 1821, 
were made at Mt. Riga. The musket iron and railroad 
axles of various kinds, so extensively manufactured a few 
years since, have been nearly superseded by the use of 
Bessimer steel. The manufacture of this steel has been 
largely introduced into this country by a Salisbury engi- 
neer, who learned the process in England, and who has 
built some of the most extensive steel works in this coun- 
try.* He is now President of the "American Associa- 
tion of Mining Engineers," and is still actively engaged 
in his profession. 

The principal improvements that have been made in our 
manufactures, within the period since 1841, have been the 

♦Alexander L. HoUey. 

4 



26 

extension of the car wheel business, and the works of* the 
Barnard Hardware Company, both located at Lime Rock. 
The erection of cutlery works by A. H. Holley, in Lake- 
ville, in 1844, and now carried on by the Holley Manu- 
facturing Company, and the manufacture of woolen and 
other fabrics by the Washinee Company, at the Centre. 
These establishments have all accomplished their purpose 
in producing excellent work, but they have not all been 
equally successful in a pecuniary point of view. 

Our agriculturists have not fallen behind the surround- 
ing communities in their various occupations, and have 
contributed "their efforts toward maintaining the reputa- 
tion of the town as one of the best farming towns in the 
county, if not in the State. 

The committee appointed by the General Assembly in 
1732 to examine " the colony lands west of the ' Ousa- 
tonic' river," and lay out a township in the northern sec- 
tion thereof, reported " six lakes estimated to contain two 
thousand acres, and a rough waste mountain in the north- 
east corner of said township estimated to contain four 
thousand acres, the remainder they thought would accom- 
modate a sufficient number of inhabitants for a town. 

Our mining interests were greatly extended during the 
war of the rebellion, and were sources of wealth. But 
for the past few years they have experienced the depres- 
sing influences of previous excessive production, although 
they are still wrought to a very considerable extent. 

The Salisbury Savings Society, located at Lakeville, is 



27 

another of our institutions, brought into existence since 
our centennial history was written, and has proved to be 
as beneficial as it is popular. It was organized in 1848, 
and Walter R. Whittlesey was elected its first treasurer. 
He was succeeded in 18G5 by Thomas L. Norton, who 
still holds the office. 

A banking firm has also been established at Lakeville, 
under the name of Robbins, I3urrall & Co., which has 
proved to be a source of great convenience to our busi- 
ness community. 

The Iron Bank, which was chartered in May, 1847, is 
virtually a Salisbury institution, although it is located on 
the Oauaan side of the llousatonic river. The holders of 
a majority of the capital stock, and a majority of its Di- 
rectors, as well as its Presidents, up to the present time 
with one exception, were Salisbury men at the time of 
their election. William H. Walton, Esq., first President, 
was chosen in 1847 ; Lee Oanfield succeeded Walton in 
1854, A. H. Holley succeeded Oanfield in 1860, W. P. 
Burrall succeeded HoUey in July, 18C2, Leonard Rich- 
ardson succeeded Burrall in January, 1863, Augustus 
Miles succeeded Richardson in July, 1863, Geo. W. 
Peet succeeded Miles in July, 1864, and is still holding 
that office. Mr. Randall, the present Cashier, has held 
that office about twenty-four of the twenty-nine years of 
the bank's existence. 

The first newspaper established in town, and which is 
still successfully conducted, was started by J. L. Pease, 



28 

who came into town from Lee, Mass. The first number 
of the paper, The Connecticut Western News, was issued 
July 14, 1871. 

The construction of the Connecticut Western Railrog,d , 
one of the most important contributions to the business in- 
terests, as well as to the facilities for communication ever 
established in this vicinity, not only for Salisbury but for 
all North Western Connecticut, is more indebted for its 
organization to Salisbury than to any other town on its 
line. We concede to other towns active and efficient aid 
in the procurement of its charter, and in liberal subscrip- 
tions to its stock, but the efficient work of its organiza- 
tion began here. The contract for its construction was 
made in 1869, and the first train over the road, (except 
construction trains,) was an excursion to Poughkeepsie 
from Hartford, in December, 1871. 

Our educational interests have kept pace with those of 
surrounding communities, and are decidedly in advance 
of what they were five and thirty years ago ; more pains 
have been taken to secure educated and efficient teachers ; 
greater facilities have been furnished for the acquirement 
of an education, and oar public schools are not only free 
but attendance is compulsory. We have no institutions 
for education higher than the common school, except two 
or three select schools of which favorable reports are 
given. Our school houses are a great improvement upon 
those of even a quarter of a century since, and are gener- 
ally a credit to the town. On the whole, Mr. Moderator, 



29 

I think that our children are better taught in the district 
schools than those adults are whom we endeavor annually 
to instruct in reading in our Town room. 

The Roman Catholics in this vicinity have erected a 
beautiful and convenient church edifice at Lakeville 
within the past eighteen months, which does credit to 
their taste, and which we hope and trust will have a 
healthful influence upon all who worship there. The 
temperance reform which they have instituted has already 
been productive of good. 

The order of " Good Templars," established at Lake- 
ville, numbers about one hundred members and is in a 
flourishing condition ; T. L. Norton, Esq., is the presid- 
ing officer. The object is the promotion of temperance. 

The war of the rebellion was not an institution of 
Salisbury origin. As it occurred, however, within the 
life time of the present generation, and as it was one of 
the most gigantic and causeless of modern times, and 
having been suppressed also, by as brave and patriotic a 
people as ever drew the sword in defence of liberty and 
law, of home and country, it is proper that it should be 
referred to even here in our limited community. It de- 
mands a record indeed if for no other reason than to tes- 
tify to posterity the efforts and sacrifices which were 
made on our part to transmit to them an unimpaired 
union. Salisbury did its full share in the accomplishment 
of this work, having sent to the army three hundred and 
fifty-three men, of whom fifty-three laid down their lives 



30 

either on the battle fields of Olustee, Petersburg, or 
Drury's Bluff, Port Hudson, Murfreesborough, Deep 
Bottom and Cold Harbor, or died of wounds or disease 
contracted in the service. As far as this feeble elibrt of 
mine will avail, the names of these patriotic men shall be 
preserved in the archives of the town, and transmitted to 
coming generations, who will foUow our example, and 
forever hold in grateful remembrance, their deeds and 
their memories. Their names alone, however, do not 
constitute the entire roll of honor for our town, but they 
are the only persons whom we know that sacrificed their 
lives in the service ; other noble men, e(j[ually patriotic 
and devoted, who escaped with their lives, merit and 
will receive equal honor with those who fell on the bat- 
tle fields. Their names already form a part of our re- 
corded history. 

The following is a list of the dead referred to above : — 
Grin H. Knight, Charles Caul, P. Ostrander, James 
Ostrander, Adam Ostrander, Monroe VVhitemau, Amos 
Woodin, Robert VV. Bragg, Edmond Hickey, Ezra B. 
Morris, Walter C. Sparks, Ruben R. {Speed, Henry Vol- 
ker, Jacob E. Rapp, Chester A. Johnson, John Lapham, 
(j. VV. Mansfield, Guerdon Davidson, Daniel (ilaren, 
John W. Surner, Henry S. Wheeler, Joseph Hooper, 
Barnard Woodhead, Aaron E. Babcock, 8. VV. Wolcott, 
H. Pitt Bostworth, A. E. Barnes, Peter Einkle, Orville 
D. Owen, Elisha Cleveland, Owen McNeil, Alfred De 
Bois, Joseph B. Bond, Egbert E. Nott, Ovid P. Shaw, 



31 

Orville 0. Blake, Andrew Bull, Andrew W. Durrall, 
Renslaer Mc Arthur, Egbert Rowe, J. W. Speed, D. 
Owen, Eben P. Wolcott, Henry S. Wright, J. Melton 
Bishop, J. Harper Smith, Cornelius Turner, John Brant, 
Peter Burns, John Donohue, Jourdan Brazee, Henry 
Surriner, John S. Addison, Charles Brown. 

The following persons were elected or promoted to the 
offices named below : — 

Rev. Samuel S. Jarvis, Chaplain, 1st regiment, heavy 
artillery ; James Hubbard, Brigadier General by brevet, 
2d heavy artillery ; Oren H. Knight, Captain, 2d heavy 
artillery ; William A. Bailey, Chaplain, 28th regiment, 
Milton Bradley, Quatermaster, Wilfred Matison, Quarter- 
master, Charles B. Landon, Captain, Joseph Bostwick, 
1st Lieutenant, Warren C. Daily, 2d Lieutenant; E. 
Lewis Moore, Adjutant, 7th regiment ; Edward S. Hub- 
bard, 2d Lieutenant, 19th regiment ; Joseph Slater, 2d 
Lieutenant, 11th regiment ; Admatha Bates, 2d Lieu- 
tenant Co. L, 2d heavy artillery. 

This reference to our late war reminds me of some facts 
regarding the French war of 1756-7, that were not re- 
ferred to particularly by Judge Church in his address. 
As Salisbury has the credit of furnishing its full share of 
aid in all the wars that have occurred in our country since 
its settlement, the fact should be stated that at the early 
period of 1756 — one hundred and twenty years ago — we 
had in this town two well organized military companies, 
from which *' enlistments and impressments" were made 



32 

from time to time, and requisitions were also made upon 
Captains to hold their men in readiness to go into service 
at a moment's notice, who were called " minute men." 
I have in my possession orders issued chiefly by Colonel 
Marsh of Litchfield, to Captains Moore and Landon, or- 
dering them from time to time to send men to the north- 
ern frontier. They did so not unfrequently, but I do not 
know in what numbers. The Captain Moore referred to 
was grandfather of Messrs. /Vlbert and Silas Moore, and 
Captain Landon was the ancestor of Messrs. Horace and 
James Landon. 

There is abundant evidence, I believe, to establish the 
fact, that several of the regiments surrendered by General 
Burgoyne at Saratoga, in our war of the Revolution, 
were quartered for several days in this town, a part of 
them at Lakeville, and a part of them on the farm of the 
Messrs. Moore. One of those soldiers (John Lotz) de- 
serted from one of those regiments, and was for many 
years an inhabitant of Salisbury, and served as a miller 
for my grandfather and my father. 

And now, my fellow-citizens, having as briefly as 
seemed compatible with the facts of history, (perhaps too 
briefly) endeavored to supplement the centennial history 
of Salisbury as it was given to us by Judge Church, I 
have only to add in this place that the combined history, 
even though it may be imperfect, presents us with an ar- 
ray of names and characters of which we may well be 
proud. 



33 

Natives of our own soil, or gentlemen trained among 
us from early life, have occupied many prominent posi- 
tions in our own and other States, who have done honor 
to themselves and to their country. Among the positions 
thus occupied I recall those of one Secretary of War, 
three United States Senators and seven Representatives 
in Congress, three eminent Chief Justices of three dif- 
ferent States, four Governors of States at home and 
abroad, two Lieutenant Governors, many Senators in our 
own General Assembly, two Presidents and several Pro 
fessors in colleges, one Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Military and Naval officers, and several lawyers 
and clergymen of high repute.* 

In contemplating this array of worthy names, a perti- 
nent inquiry suggests itself to my mind in this connection. 
Shall we continue to send forth men from our town who 
will dignify the positions they may occupy, and do equal 
honor to the town with those who have preceded them ? 
Shall wo |!rove to the world that in education and refine- 
ment, in social culture, political integrity and sagacity, 
far reaching and wise plans for the future of our 
country, we may be able to controvert the oft-repeated 
assertion, that we are degenerating ; that our ancestors 
were wiser and better than the later generations of men. 



♦Secretary of War, Peter B. Porter; United States Senators, Nathaniel 
Chipnian, J. S. Johnston; Representatives in (-ongress, Peter B. Porter, 
M. C.'hittenden, G. H. Chapin, T. K. Strong, J. M. iloUey, J. U. Hubbard, 
W. H. Barnuni ; Governors, Chittenden, Gakisha, Skinner, HoUey ; Lieut. 
Governors, Holley and Averill ; Presidents of Colleges, HoUey and Bart- 
lett ; Bisliop, Janes. 

5 



34 

Have we no reason to apprehend that the corruption and 
extravagance of the age — the bitterness of party spirit — 
the want of charity towards each other — the malignity 
with which candidates for and incumbents of exalted po- 
litical and social positions are pursued and traduced, will 
compel the future historian to verify and emphasize the 
charge of degeneracy ? 

In connection with this subject, I cannot refrain from 
giving a short extract from Judge Church's centenni?.! 
address. He says : " This is not the time nor the proper 
occasion to indulge in political reflections. But I cannot 
discharge a duty which I owe to the young men of my 
native place — the persons with whom, in part, the desti- 
nies of the country are soon to be entrusted, without en- 
treating them to divest themselves of party and political 
prejudices. What is prejudice but an opinion formed 
without impartial examination? This is a crime, and in- 
excusable in this age and country. My young friends, 
never be afraid of bringing preconceived opinions to the 
test of a patient and disinterested inquiry." " He being 
dead, yet speaketh," and speaketh wisely. 

What he has said is so entirely in consonance with- my 
own feelings, that I cannot refrain from repeating the ad- 
vice to my young friends of the present day. Indeed I 
think if he were living now among the scenes that sur- 
round us, he would, in view of the frauds and corruptions 
so prevalent in all ranks, make that advice far more em- 
phatic. 



35 

While I too deem it inappropriate to a certain extent to 
indulge in political reflections on an occasion like this, 
still I feel in common with every patriotic heart an 
earnest desire that this glorious union and the best of all 
forms of government yet devised by human wisdom, should 
be perpetuated in its purity. I cannot but express my 
apprehension that its value is not appreciated. The gov- 
ernment was not established for a single decade or a sin- 
gle generation, and it cannot long be perpetuated for the 
benefit of the people unless the people themselves dis- 
charge their duties conscientiously; for the character of 
the government will be what it is made by the action of 
the people. Hence the propriety, not to say necessity, of 
attempting to elevate the standard of moral, political and 
cultured character in those we would select to discharge 
the responsible functions of official life. As a nation we 
acknowledge no government in theory superior to our own 
in wisdom, dignity or forecast. Does our practice cor- 
respond with our theory, and incline us to select the 
purest and ablest of our fellow citizens to discharge the 
most responsible political duties ? As this may be the 
last opportunity I shall ever have of addressing you, my 
fellow men, I conjure you by every tie that binds you to 
your country, by every hope you entertain of its future 
exaltation and glory, by every desire you cherish of 
transmitting this noble inheritance of liberty, unimpaired 
to your children and your children's children, that you 
guard with jealous care and with an enlightened sense of 



36 

duty the purity of the ballot box, the palladium of our 
liberties. 

The preceding details may have wearied your patience, 
my friends, as they are doubtless familiar to many of you, 
but to record them is a duty we owe to posterity, whose 
interest in them will increase as the years roll on. Our 
mountains, lakes, rocks and brooks will remain without 
essential change. Our fertile meadows and rugged hill 
sides may receive higher culture that will change their 
aspect somewhat. Our villages may be enlarged and 
beautified, and perhaps multiplied, but the actors in these 
scenes will sink into their graves generation after genera- 
tion. Hence the duty of each to record its own history, 
that their names and deeds may not pass from the memo- 
ries of men. Our beautiful scenery, and healthful cli- 
mate, may attract people of taste and culture to our pleas- 
ant villages, but they will be retained amongst us only by 
good order, and social elevation in our own communities. 
The opening of the Centennial year, and the formation of 
Improvement Societies, have given an impulse to the taste 
and enterprise of our citizens, that is highly commenda- 
ble, and we may reasonably hope thtit many a heart will 
be warmed toward us in the coming years, for the grateful 
shade that our hundreds of newly planted elms will throw 
over happy homes, play grounds, and streets. 

You will pardon me now, I trust, if I devote a few 
moments to our national history, as the unusual occasion 
seems to demand^a recognition of the nation's centennial 



anniversary. In doing this, I may trespass upon the do- 
main of the friend who is to speak al'ter me, but I shoukl 
do violence to my own k)ve of country, and to my pride 
in our centennial, if I were to omit all reference to this 
notable day. 

One hundred years ago the few and feeble states then 
existing within our present national limits, declared their 
independence of one of the proudest and most powerful 
governments on earth. That declaration cost those states 
a seven years' war, in which they suffered and sacrificed 
much treasure, and some of the best blood of the land. 
It was a common sacrifice, however, which cemented dis- 
severed colonies into one glorious union of states, around 
which a galaxy of other states has been gathered, still 
more glorious. Their numbers are thus augmented nearly 
three fold, all of which are united under that flag that 
now commands the respect of all the nations of the earth. 
To-day, at our national celebration, only one century re- 
moved from that memorable 4th of July, 177(5, we are 
entertaining guests whose many centuries of civilization 
have not enabled them to surpass us in our contributions 
to the utilities of our race, or in promoting the interest 
and in advancing the happiness of mankind. Well may 
we repeat what was said a half century since, and with 
more emphasis : 

" Let the loud cannons peal to heaven; 

Their mingling thunders jar the earth. 
This the proud day to glory given. 

The day that hailed a Nation's birth." 



38 

This is, indeed, the proudest day in our annals if not 
one of the most remarkable in human history. All the 
civilized nations of the whole earth, whose civilization is 
worthy of the name, are through their accredited repre- 
sentatives gathered on the spot where our liberty was 
proclaimed, and are, with us, this day to witness our 
progress in all that pertains to the national prosperity 
and improvement of the condition of the race. They 
honor us with their presence, and they gratify us by the 
exhibition of the diversified products of their skill in ten 
thousand fabrics wrought out for use, ornament, instruc- 
tion and amusement. But they honor us still more, in a 
cordial acknowledgment of our progress in civilization, 
in arts and arms, as well as in the production of works of 
the highest utility. Indeed, it should not be deemed an 
idle boast, nor an undue assumption, to claim that we 
stand, to-day, the peer of the proudest nations of the 
earth. This expression is only uttered as an encourage- 
ment to ourselves, and to those who may come after us, 
to perpetuate a form of government, that enables us to 
present to the world such evidences of prosperity, where 
freedom of action is guaranteed to every citizen, in any 
lawful calling of life. 

Our national history is full of interest, not only for 
ourselves at the close of our first century, but it has also 
been among the most remarkable centuries of the world. 
Empires have risen and perished. Arms and arts have 
had their triumphs, civilization has reached a higher 



39 

plane, and individual men among the nations, occupy 
more exalted positions in the scale of being, than they 
ever have done, heretofore. They are not now the mere 
puppets of Kings and Princes as iu earlier days. Neither 
is it an unwarranted assumption, to say, that our example 
as a people has had a marked influence upon multitudes of 
other people, and also, upon many governments of the 
old world. Affecting England in its wider and more lib- 
eral educational policy, France, in its gradual but certain 
progress towards a republican form of government, Italy 
in its re-union of its eai'lier component states under the 
liberal administration of a Victor Emanuel, Germany with 
the restoration of its ancient boumlaries and higher educa- 
tion, Russia in its abandonment of its serfdom, China and 
Japan in opening their respective countries to intercourse 
with the outer world, and the adoption of many of the 
arts of our advanced life. And hist, but by no means 
least, our own emancipation from Slavery, the one blot 
on our escutcheon which retarded the progress of a por- 
tion of our wide domain, and where brighter prospects 
are uovn? opening up for that beautiful country, than have 
ever dawned upon it heretofore. A portion which is yet 
to become the emancipated Italy of America. 

In view of this progress is it undue exultation for us to 
rejoice that under the benign influence of [i kind Provi- 
dence and the teachings of a wise and noble ancestry, we 
have been enabled as in the examples referred to, to ex- 
ert such a happy influence in elevating and improving the 



40 

condition of our race in other lands ? The Republic has 
encountered perils from without and treachery from with- 
in. It has experienced the demoralization of war and 
the machinations of wicked and ambitious men. It has 
endured the shock of contending parties in the field and 
in the forum. It has witnessed the highest excitement 
in political life, when formidable collisions seemed inevi- 
table, ))ut the good sense of intelligent men, and their 
confidence in the wise provisions of our noble constitu- 
tion, have triumphed over all tliose threatened dangers, 
and will continue to do so, we trust, to the end. Be- 
lieving that the awakened attention of the people to a 
more ftiithful discharge of their own public as well as 
private duties, will soon usher in the still better days in 
store for the nation, I cannot repress the earnest anticipa- 
tion and belief (which I feel) that a more glorious future 
awaits us than has been the lot of any people. Thus be- 
lieving, and casting my eye down through the vista of 
coming years, I behold in imagination a nation occupying 
a territory which belts a continent from ocean to ocean, 
with a broad expanse between widely separated parallels 
of latitude, covered with an enlightened and cultivated 
population in possession of all the elements essential to 
true comfort and greatness. Rich also in agricultural re- 
sources, abounding in mineral wealth unequalled in any 
country, in mind and matter enriched to an extent that 
has enabled our countrymen in the exercise of their in- 
genuity and industry to bring the very elements into 



41 

subservience to their use in almost every department of 
human industry. With such a country, such a popula- 
tion, such educational facilities, such resources in mineral, 
agricultural and manufacturing wealth, what may we not 
hope for in the future material interests of our country ? 

"With positions of honor lofty enough to gratify the 
highest ambition, and accessible to any one who has the 
character and influence to win them, may we not hope 
that these high places shall be attainable only through a 
moral and intellectual standard, which shall be raised 
higher than any that has yet been set for our attainment ? 

With hearts full of gratitude that we are enabled to 
leave a record so honorable, both local and national, at 
the close of our first century, may we not hope that in 
the exercise of high and honorable motives in the dis- 
charge of our duties, public and private, with the bles- 
sing of the Almighty Ruler of the Nations, we may be 
enabled to present to the world at the close of our second 
century the fairest page in human history. 



ERRATA. 

Page 4, 2d line, read "address" for "one"; page 6th, 1st line, read "leav- 
ing" for "having"; page 8, 9th line, omit 1st word, "and"; page 13, 7th 
line from bottom, omit letter " a " before Congregational, and read " clergy- 
men" instead of "clergyman"; page 23, "N. E. Ward" instead of " N. E. 
Wood ; page 20th, 8th line, read " B. S." instead of " B. J. Thompson." 



42 



ADDENDA. 



Rev, Edmund S. Janes and his brother came from Shef- 
field with their parents in 1812. They attended the 
district schools of this town for a few years, and subse- 
quently advanced their education, each of them by teach- 
ing some six years. Edmund S. entered the Christian 
Ministry in 1830. In 1840, he was elected financial 
secretary of the American Bible Society, and in 1844 
was elected Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In the course of his ministry he received the respective 
degrees of Doctor of Medicine, Law, and Divinity. 

David Lyman was born near the Center, was admitted 
to the Bar of this County in 1841, practiced law some 
five years, and then entered the ministry of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, in which he still remains. 

Jonathan T. Norton, son of Henry S. Norton, studied 
law with D. J. Warner, Esq., was admitted to the Bar 
in this County, practiced a short time in Cornwall, and 
then removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he now resides. 

William Norton, brother of the above, is now practi- 
cing law with Judge Treat of Bridgeport. 

J, Newton Dexter read law in Salisbury with D. J. 
Warner, Esq., entered the army during the late rebellion. 



43 

subsequently resumed the study of the hxw, was admitted 
to the Bar in this County, and is now practicing in Wa- 
' verly, N. Y. 

Milton J. Warner, son of Noadiah Warner, graduated 
at Williams College, read law with D. J. Warner, and 
now practices in Waverly, N. Y. 

James L. Orr was born in Hudson, N. Y., came into 
town quite young, and was educated by the late Albert 
Bushnell. He read law with the late Hon. John H. 
Hubbard, was admitted to the Bar in this County, prac- 
ticed a few years in Sharon, from whence he removed to 
Michigan City. After a few years practice there, re- 
turned to and died in Salisbury. 

John G. Reid, son of Rev. Adam Reid, read law with 
D. J. Warner, admitted to the Bar in this County, prac- 
ticed a short time in Kent, in this County. He entered 
the army during the rebellion, where he distinguished 
himself as a brave soldier. He is now in practice in 
Chicago. 

George L. Hubbell read law with D. J. Warner, Esq., 
practiced in New Haven, removed to Davenport, Iowa, 
where he is now in practice. 

Henry and Daniel Smith, sons of Samuel Smith, were 
both born in Salisbury. Both were able preachers in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry the elder still lives 
in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y. Daniel filled sev- 
eral important stations in some of our principal cities, 
and was quite an author. He died some years since. 



44 

Alanson Reed, son of the late Merwin Reed, was also 
a preacher of considerable ability in the M. E. Church. 

Dr. Gordon C. Spencer, bom in town in 1789, prac- 
ticed in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and died in Watertown, in 
that County, in 1859. 



45 

At the close of the Governor's address, the following Centennial Hymn, 
composed and written by Mrs. A. II. Holley, was suno;: 

I. 
Father of nations, Uod on high, 
We raise to Thee our fervent cry. 
As we before Thee waiting stand, 
In temple fashioned by Thy hand. 

II. 

We come to bless Thee for the past, 
That o'er this land Thy shield hath cast 
Protection, guidance, strength and power, 
Through the long century's passing hour. 

III. 

With joyous hymn and cannon's voice, 
On this proud day do we rejoice. 
Beseeching, Lord, that we may be. 
Still strong and powerful, brave and free. 

rv. 

Strong in God's power and arm of might, 
Brave in the consciousness of right. 
Free from the chains of wrong and sin, 
God's warriors in the tight to win. 

V. 

When coming centuries shall lay down 
The burden of their years' renown, 
Lord, in the future as in the past, 
Be with us, long as time shall last. 

After this hymn, and while the cannon was booming out its twelve 
o'clock guns, the audience was invited to the repast at the tables near 
by. After dinner, the afternoon exercises were opened by music by the 
band, when Dr. Knight read the following original poem : 

Thou gi-and old mount, Tocconuc ! 
Since when Almighty power 
First called thee forth from chaos, 
To stand, a guardian tower. 
Sentinel o'er all around, 
The silent ages, passing, 
Have wrought with Nature's skill 
The beauty of these valleys, 



46 

Fit place for man to dwell. 

Wild beasts have I'oamed upon thee ; 

The eagle built his nest ; 

The savage in his freedom 

Stood on th}- highest crest, 

And, looking on the picture 

Spread out so clear below, 

Tliought that the happy hunting grounds 

No brighter scene could show. 

Perchance his thoughts went iipward. 

And dwelt on that High Power, 

Which covered o'er the world beneatli 

Witli beauteous tree and liower. 

And thou, Wononscopomoc, 

With all thy sisters fair, 

For ages had reflected 

Tliis beauty, rich and rare. 

Before our fathers saw thee, 

And thankfully adored 

The source of all thy loveliness. 

Which could such grace atibrd. 

Though driven by oppression 

A wilderness to find. 

It took away all sorrow 

At leaving home behind, 

(Like Jews in sight of Canaan) 

To see this goodly land. 
They came to found a colony 
With right to worship God ; 
In matters of conviction 
They bowed to no man's nod ; 
But in all matters civil 
Obeyed King George the Third, 
Until in scorn of common rights 
Their prayers were never heard. 
Then, when the boom of cannon 
Proclaimed from Bunker's hill 
The call to join and light him. 
They answered, Aye, we w ill ! 
In the war of Revolution 
This town took no mean part ; 
It fui-nished many " hearts of oak " 
When the futui'e days looked dark. 



47 



Twenty-second day of August 

Seventeen hundred seventy-foiu-. 

Was a proud day for Salisbury, 

And rich, ripe fruit it bore. 

Our fathers, in town meeting. 

Discussed the oppressive acts 

Of the sordid British Parliament 

In its tea and paper tax. 

And Resolved " its spirit dangerous," 

Both " partial and absurd," 

Approved ' ' call for a Congress " 

And pledged to use the sword. 

They sent ©f men, one hundred. 

To help on the good cause. 

And establish ' ' once forever " 

Their right to make the laws. 

The famous " Sheldon's Cavalry" 

Was mainly from this town. 

The first which joined the army! 

It won a great renown. 

Our mines produced material. 

Our streams afforded power, 

Our citizens the labor. 

To smelt and mould our ore 

Into cannon for the Navy, 

With shot and shell a store. 

And when the war was over. 

The soldiers returned home, 

The people, in town meeting. 

Pronounced the work " well done." 

Through trying times of poverty 

Which war on them imposed, 

They " Resolved" to " maintain harmony* 

And obey all righteous laws. 

With years of peace, came plenty, 

True Virtue's sure reward ; 

For nearly one whole century, 

I've nothing to record 

Of special note. 
Time passed in hard employ 
In shop, or on the farm ; 
The boys were kept too busy 
To wander into harm. 



48 

In clothing made'of homespun 
The daughters learned to spin, 
For, by home manufacture 
Their dresses they must win. 
The mothers did full duty 
In work of the household, 
Made healthy by hard labor, 
" Strong, self-reliant, bold." 
In form, like ro}-al Juno, 
In mind, Minerva wise. 
The mothers of New England 
Had hearts of largest size. 

The slave power o'er our land 
Its darkening shadow threw. 
And loud was its demand. 
And fierce its threatening grew. 
When the Nation, with strong voice, 
Declared its love for freedom. , 
Proclaimed the power of choice, 
Electing Abraham Lincoln, 
The demagogues of slavery 
Announced themselves secesh. 
And boasted that our temple 
Of liberty, they would crush. 
When the nation's noble martjrr, 
Who knew our nation's need, 
Asked for our men, and money. 
We gave, and bid " God speed." 
No politics or party 
Kept back our rich, or poor ; 
They went, in answer to the call, 
" Three hundred thousand more." 
And ever, through the conflict, 
We gave our best, our all ; 
One tenth of all our people 
Responded to the call. 
We have no massive shaft, 
In future days to tell 
The battles, where our sons 
And glorious brothers fell. 
Our children yet to come. 
Will say we are not wise ; 



49 

'TiS WORTH THE POOR REWARD, 

To men who gave theii* lives 
To save our land for freedom. 
Come, fathers, brothers, all, 
On this Centennial day, 
Let us recall their deeds 
And valor, as we may. 
What better work were wrought 
Out of our marble fine, 
Than to imprint their names 
A record for all time. 

O Thou great God of Nations, 

We^worship Thee to day ; 

We thank Thee that Thy goocbiess 

Has led us all our way. 

Our fathers loved Thy Eaugdom, 

And trusted in Thy word ; 

They asked that we, their children, 

Might live for ti-uth, and God. 

So may our children love Thee 

In the ages yet to come, 

And they, and we, be gathered 

Into Thy Heavenly Home. 

The following letters were read by Lot Norton, Esq., Chairman of 
the Centennial Commission. 

West Point, N. T., June 17, 1876. 

Lot Norton, Esq., Chairman, 

Dear Sir : — Accept many thanks for your kind invitation, in behalf of 
the Centennial Commission, to be present at the Centennial Celebration 
in my native towm, on the fourth of July next. 

I could have no greater pleasure than to be with you on that interest- 
ing occasion, but an imperative duty to be in Philadelphia, at that time, 
with my pupils, the corps of cadets of the U. S. military academy, will 
deprive me of it. 

Trusting that yoiu- celebration will be eminently successful, I am. 

Truly yours, 

A. E. CHURCH, 
(Professor of Mathematics.) 



50 

New York, June 12, 1876. 
Lot Norton, Esq., 

Dear Sir : — Your invitation to be present at the Centennial Celebra- 
tion in Salisbui'j, on the 4th proximo, is received. It would give me 
great pleasure to meet my old friends and fellow-citizens on that highly 
interesting occasion, could I consistently do so. Sickness in my family, 
and pressing official duties compel me to deny myself that pleasure. 

Desiring and praying that the C'elebration may promote the social, 
patriotic and religious welfare of the town, 

I am, truly yours, 

E. S. JANES. 
(Senior Bishop of the M. E. Church.) 



Danbury, Conn., June 24, 1876. 
Lot Norton, Esq., 

My Dear Sir: — I received by due course of mail, your invitation to 
be present at the Centennial Celebration of the 4th of July, at Salisbury. 

* * * It would surely give me pleasure to unite with the pet)ple of 
my native town in celebrating this approaching anniversary. 

I recall with great pleasure the many occasions in which I have joined 
with them in former years in interesting celebrations. There is, how- 
ever, mingled with these memories, the sad thought, that most and I 
may say nearly all, of those with whom I enjoyed them, have' 'massed 
away. The places they occupied are filled by others. * * "■* ''^^-^'-^ 

While inclination would lead me to Salisbury, duty will detaifl"M<f \.l 
Danbury. I must therefore, though reluctantly, decline the invitation 
you extend to me. 

Very respectfully and truly yours, 

ROGER AVERILL. 

(Ex-Lieutenant Governor.) 

Boston, Mass., June 29, 1876. 
Lot Norton, Esq., and associate : — 

Many thanks for your kind invitation to participate in the Centennial 
Celebration in your town. 

Though 1 have been absent forty years, yet any thing which, like your 
invitation, reminds me of my native mountains and native air, the un- 
rivaled scenery of my native town and its vicinity, awakens most refresh- 
ing and delightful impressions. 

It would afford me veiy great pleasure to participate with you in the 
exercises of the approaching celebration ; but duties elsewhere put it 
out of my power. * * * * 

With a son's affectionate greeting, 

REV. JOSEPH PETTEE. 



51 

June '2fi, 1S76. 
Mr. Norton, 

Dear Sir : — Appreciating tally the kind remembrance that has ex- 
tended to me an invitation to a Centennial Celebration, in the town of my 
nativity and long residence, I cannot forbear at least returning my heart- 
felt thanks. The wcMght of nearly four-score years, wliih? rendering it 
impossible for me to be present with you in person, will not prevent my 
spirit going out to meet on that occasion, the kind friends of former 
years, and the children of those with whom I loved to associate. 

No lapse of time, no intervening distance can diminish the love 1 hold 
to the dear hills and vallies, lakes and streams, that make dear old Salis- 
l)ury t) .-' brightest, dearest spot on earth. There I spent my early and 
matur>_ years ; in her saci'ed soil rests dear kindred and friends, and there 
1 expect my dust will soon mingle with theirs, and 1 enjoy the blessed 
hope that Ihen my spirit will be among the blood-washed throng. 

Hoping that the future of Salisbury may be as rich in men and women 
of true worth, as has been the past, 

I am yours most truly, 

MRS. ALMIRA S. LEE. 



Rochester, N. Y., June -27, 187G. 
Lot N yRTON, Esq., 

' 't S/'i: — Please accept my thanks for the invitation to celebi-ate in 
'sL y the one hundredth anniversary of our National Independence. 
1 deeply regret that the state of my health will prevent my attendance ; 
but shall l)e with old friends in spirit on that day, fervently wishing it 
may be in all respects a grand impressive time, and a stand-point from 
which to draw fresh inspirations of patriotism for the futiu'e, from the 
hist(ny of the past. 

With highest regards to yourself, and those you represent, 
1 am respectfully yours, 

HENRY BENTON. 



Elwoou, N. J., June 30, 187G. 

Dear Sir : — In reply to the invitation to be present at the Celebration 
of the fourth of July in Salisbuiy, 1 would not need to assure you of my 
thanks for the note. 1 can only express my regret that 1 am unable tt; 
be there and enjoy the festivities of the occasion. 

It would be a great pleasure to meet the many older persons whom 1 
have known fi'om my earliest j'ears, to see those 3-ounger than myself, 
that 1 would recognize, as well as to spend even a few liours with the 
few of my own age, who might be present. + * * * + j^ liope liev 
mountains and hills may ever inspire a noble love of independent free- 



52 

dom of opinion, her rooks fix a spirit of true and nnwavering integrity, 
her lakes find their counterpart in souls reflecting the light of the Siui of 
Righteousness, and her streams of beneficence always flow onward for 
the relief of the needy and distressed wherever foiuid. 

With kind regards, as ever, 

Yours, &c. 

(Rev.) E. WHITTLESEY. 



Bethany, June 24, 1876. 
Lot Norton, Esq., Chairman, 

Your highly esteemed favor of invitation came speedily to hand. I 
thank you for it. To unite with patriots of my native town in celebrating 
our hundredth anniversary would be to me the utmost hight of my am- 
bition. But standing as I am on the ashes of human ambition, in great 
feebleness, I must decline the honor. * * * * 

Dear sir, 1 have tlie honor to be yours, with many thanks and kind 
regards for the Oentemiial Commission. 

. P. BUSHNELL. 



Mr. George W. Holley, of Niagara, had been requested to respond 
for the returned emigrants, but owing to the lateness of the hour, omit- 
ted in delivery a portion of the following response : 

Mr. Moderator, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 

I have had no opportunity to confer with my fellow emigrants with 
reference to the response to be made to tlie cordial welcome and saluta- 
tion given to us in your name, by the orator of the day. But I am sure 
I cannot err in thanking you as cordially, in behalf of each one of them, 
for the kind invitation to join you in commemorating the centennial re- 
turn of this ausjncious day. No century since the first which heralded 
the advent f)f Clu-istianity, has been so signally distinguished by illustri- 
ous characters and grand events, as the one you now celebrate. Most 
heartily we thank you, for recallmg us to our native town on this most 
interesting occasion ; for bringing us back to these towering mountains, 
these wooded lillls, these sweeping vales, these cool and sparkling 
streams, these emerald lakes, these verdant meads, these fruitful fields, 
which were so familiar and dear to us in life's morning time. They were 
familiar and dear to us then; they are less familiar but more dear to us 
now. As we ti-avel down life's lengthening journey, through whatever 
chance or change of joy or sorrow, ease or toil, success or failure, tri- 
imiph or defeat; whatever our lot, where'er we roam, our first best 
country ever is at home. 



53 

" E'en though Its withered hopes around it fall, 
Like faded wreaths in some forsaken hall, 
Still o'er the waste of sorrow unforgot, 
Green and unfading blooms that hallowed spot.'' 

My friends, we have had the history, the poetry, the pati-iotisui of the 
occasion, all admirably presented to us. If time permitted, 1 would like 
to present to you somewhat of the humor of the fathers, who were not 
all of that strict, austei'e, unsmiling, unjokable nature and temperament, 
with which they are traditionally credited b}^ their successors. And even 
though the day is waning, 1 cannot resist tlie temptation to cite some 
examples of it. 

Your poet has referred to Capt. Sheldon, who held a commission in 
Col. Stoddard's troop of cavalry, the first raised for the Revolutionai'y 
war. On their way to Albany to join the northern army they bivouacked 
the lirst night at Claverack, near the Hudson river. The next mornino-, 
at parade, Col. Stoddard promulgated certain regulations for the govern- 
ment of tlie troop, one of which prohibited the utterance of profane 
language. Fart of the penalty for violating this order was, that a speci- 
fied portion of the oti'ender's pay should be forfeited for ea(!h oftence. 
Among the troopers were two brothers named Owen, energetic, wiry, 
resolute men — and both stuttered in their speech. As all the members 
of the troop had grown up, boys and men, together, there was but slight 
appreciation among them of the requirements of military discipline, and 
when the rule as to profane swearing was read, the elder brother called 
out from the ranks " i s-s-sa-say. Col. S-s-st-stoddard, s-s-su-suppose a 
man s-s-s-wears out more'n his p-p-pay, do you m-m-make him p-XJ-lMtj 
anything hackV^ Later in the war, two younger brothers joined the 
army, and were stationed at West Point and opposite. The old father 
died and left the aged widow without "help" to take care of her small 
homestead. Leaving it in charge of a neighbor, she walked to Cold 
Spring, to ask the release of one of her sons. Tlie case was made known 
to Gen. Washington, who sent a messenger to bring her to his office. 
He greeted her kindly, stated that he was glad to be able to restore one 
of her sons to her, living, and that lie would be discharged and sent 
home ; then giving her live dollars he withdrew. The good woman was 
so impressed with the dignity and goodness of the Commander-in-Chief, 
that the aid-de-camp coming in soon after with her son, found her in a 
fainting condition. The elder brother died some years since in the in- 
terior of the State of New York, at the age of lUo years. 

There were some weak men among the clergy in those daj'S. Parson 

, who officiated at liarkliampstead, exchanged with Parson , of 

Saiisbm-y, where a carding machine — one of the mechanical wonders of 
the time — had recently been put in operation. The good Barkhamp- 



54 

steader, after getting through, in his second morning prayer, with the 
old and new Testament, the Egjptian, Persian, Greek and Roman em- 
pires, and so down to modern times and recent improvements, referred 
to the new hibor-saving machine as foUows : "Oh! Lord, when Tliou 
lookest around on the works of nature and art, how must thou be stir- 
prised when Thou sce''st a canliny iuachine!''' Some of the good deacons 
of the time, more zealous than wise, were often puzzled by the appar- 
ently strange dispensations of Providence. One of them who lived in 
the pleasant valley of the Salmon Kill, had a choice piece of interval 
land on which he had, one year, a thrifty crop of young corn. Ai\ ex- 
traordinary down-pour of rain one Saturday night covered it with gravel 
and pebbles. The next morning, as the "hired man" was going to an 
adjoining pasture to catch the horses to go to cjiurch, the deacon went 
along with him to look at the corn. His sorrow was great and, pointing 
to the horses quietly grazing near by, he said to the hired man, "1 have 
driven those old grey horses to meetin' every Siuiday regular for twenty 
years, and now, ah. Lord! look at thatP'' 

A Colebrook deacini fell in with two others from North and South 
Canaan, all on liorse-back, going to attend consociation at Litchtield. 
Natm-ally enough, tlieir discourse was about their ministers. North 
Canaan said his was "famous for exhortin'';^^ South Canaan that liis was 
"remarkable for consolin'' in cases of alfliction." Colebrook said he did 
not "know as his minister was anytiiing particular at consolin' or ex- 
hortin', but that lie was ' stroniary^ o)i rain." 

Many of our 3'ounger people have probably noticed the marble tablet 
over the front door of the Episcopal church at the Centre, with a single 
letter, a capital S, cut on it, and have queried what it could mean. The 
following explanation has been given. It was intended to cut the name 

"St. John's Church" on the tablet, and old Billy K , who had had a 

little experience in lettering, undertook tlie task. After tinishing tlie S, 
he descendeil tiie ladder to get a dram, having a 'weakness' for that in- 
dulgence. This weakness was so overcoming that he was never able to 
finish the work. On being remonstrated with by Chief- Justice Church, 
senior warden, for being so disrespectful to St. John, old Billy, in his 
semi-inebriate tone replied, "N-n-never mind about that, Judge ; I-I-ll 
make it right tvUh hi)u what, 1 see hiin!^' 

But, my friends, tlie westering sun reminds us that the diiy as well as 
the century is di-awing to a close. It has been pleasant for her emigrant 
childi-en to join you this day, and with filial pride, affection and respect, 
to ofi'er new homage to our common motlier, to weave new wreaths for 
her brow, to lay fresh garlands upon hei- altars, to sing new praises to 
her honored name, and to exchange lieart-lelt greetings with her cliildren 
gathered here. But wliile we exchani!:e these cordial ffreetiiius witli thtf 



55 

living, wc do not, we cannot, forget the dead. While our hearts are 
cheered by the renewal of kindly iuterconrse with friends and neighbors 
from whom we have long been separated, they are tilled with tender sad- 
ness as we walk among the monuments and read the names of those who 
have gone before us over the great river. What an innumerable com- 
pany they are. And before the close of the century upon which we 
shall enter with to-morrow's sun, all who are now gathered here will 
have joined those who are waiting there. And, kind friends, when the 
last messenger comes to us, 

When to each the evening gates unbar, 

Shall we not see them waiting stand, 
And white against the evening star. 

The welcome of each beckoning hand ? 

Even SO may it be. Farewell! 



Salisbury, August 1, 1876. 

We, the undersigned, appointed a committee to carry the foregoing 
resolution into effect, have complied with the same, so far as we were 
able. 

We regret to say that we have been unable to procure a copy of the 
oration of D. J. Warner, Esq., for publication. His reasons for not fur- 
nishing it, are that it was not written out or memorized b}' him, and as 
he spoke from brief head notes, he was unwilling to attempt to write it 
out, not being able to do so with entire correctness. 



Respectfully, 



Milton H. Robbins, } /^.„„w//ee 
Donald T. Wabner, < ^o""^*««^«- 



LLJL'll 



